COMMENT
In Moonstruck the least favorite character is Cosmo (as per previous polls.)
Are there specific TRAITS or FLAWS that you find objectionable in the other characters. major or minor.
Are these flaws small tiles of the mosaic representation of Italian Americans? In other words, are they typical (or stereotypical) of Italian Americans?
REPLY to a point of view that was particularly illuminating or infuriating (or both).
It is very stereotypical for Italian men to love women and cheat on their significant others multiple times. Cosmo has verified this stereotype in this movie. Loretta, being his daughter, also has cheated on her fiancé, which would also tie into the stereotype, the apple not falling far from the tree. Although Italians can be very seductive, it's not fair to give them the stereotype of cheaters. Everyone has the capability of cheated, regardless of their race.
ReplyDeleteRose, on the contrary, had every opportunity to cheat, even with suspecting her husband of cheating, she never jumped on the opportunity. Her daughter was also cheating, and she still stuck to her morals, and did the right thing. Despite all of this, however, she told Loretta not to marry for love with risks of getting hurt, which was strange. Cosmo's father, although being a little out of the loop, seemed to also know what was going on with his family behind closed doors, never managed to bring it up, and hoped his son would do the right thing.
Loretta, despite also cheating on her fiancé, she knew in her heart that he wasn't the right one for her after meeting his brother. It wasn't right her her to keep it from him and she should have never agreed to marry him in the first place, since it was clearly easy for her to cheat in the first place. This movie was full of lies and deceit depicted onto Italian stereotypes.
In the beginning when we got introduced to Ronnie, I thought he was very angry person and I didn't like him from the beginning. He was very emotional and was taking out his anger on everybody. I can say his behavior throughout the movie was small tiles of the mosaic representation of Italian Americans because Italian Americans seem to be very emotional and romantic, maybe sometimes too emotional like we also saw in another movie " The Italian" where Beppo was represented as this romantic and emotional guy. As we get to know Ronnie better in the film, he starts to show his romantic side towards Loretta and I thought it was very stereotypical of him as an Italian American.
ReplyDeleteIn another thread I commented on the scumbag that is Perry, who I think is about as unlikeable as Cosmo. Then I think about Johnny and I remember how pathetic he is and how he represents another downside to the film. As a casual viewer, I almost want to like Johnny. I like that he's a momma's boy and that he's kind of a bumbling character that almost plays as a comedic foil for Loretta who just seems to put up with him because he's a safe bet (he doesn't seem in any type of mortal-or-bus-related danger unlike her dead husband). Then again Johnny seems to be putting up with Loretta too. His life always seems to be dictated on circumstance and tradition. He HAS to marry Loretta because that's what men do. He HAS to go to Italy (even though his brother should have gone too) because that's what sons do. He HAS to get a ring because that's what you do when you get engaged. Somehow he screws everything up because (I suppose) he's not thinking for himself. His is the most interesting story because it isn't complete. I think when he finds out Ronny is revenge-marrying Loretta that that is the beginning of his story. Now he needs to do something for himself because he's seen what inaction can do.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't categorize "Moonstruck" as a definitive piece in the pop culture mosaic of Italian Americans because it treats them so cartoonishly. but it does convey some positive aspects; the importance of family, traditions, and in some aspects love (Raymond and Rita) but then again it bungles the rest with its stereotypical portrayal of both Italian American men and woman. I'd say its a tough call.
the two stereotypes i find most prevalent among Italians are the love and respect of family and the men being Lotharios. that is a stereotype the fits men from many different cultures if not all men in general. the Italian women are viewed as putting great importance on marriage whether there is love involved or not. in moonstruck the point i found most interesting was that Ronny Johnny and Loretta defied the stereotypical loveless marriage based on obligation in the end and true love was allowed to prosper.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like Ronny too much. He's hard-headed, melodramatic, and doesn't take no for an answer. When he was first introduced to Loretta in the basement of the bakery, he threatened to kill him self about twenty times because his brother was getting married. He threw a table because Loretta told him off, then claimed to have immediately fallen in love with her, and later on when she tells him no he throws a tantrum telling her to get in his bed and for some reason she agrees.
ReplyDeleteI'm suppose to believe this man, who doesn't listen to what Loretta wants, and thinks no means yes is suppose to be better for her? I felt the same way about Peppino in L'emigrante. It feels like every movie is trying to depict Italian men as animals who can't take no for an answer, and get angry and loud until the woman agrees.