Opera Meets Film: Puccini's 'La Bohème' As a Psychological Barometer in 'Moonstruck'

Is Moonstruck based on an opera?

Norman Jewison's 1987 Romantic Comedy Moonstruck is filled with La bohème references. Following an Italian-American family, it makes perfect sense for the film to reference one of the best-known Italian operas in the repertoire.

Why did Cher want Nicolas Cage in Moonstruck?

The studio heads had Peter Gallagher in mind for the role of Ronny Cammareri, but Cher adamantly wanted Nicolas Cage to play Ronny, as she thought he could play "crazy" more realistically. She shot a screen test with Gallagher, and also one with Cage.