US (1987): Romance/Comedy

Remember the outfit Cher wore to the Oscars when she won an Academy Award for her performance in this 1987 film? Ay-yi-yi. The actress' more retiring character in this infectious comedy leaps several psychological hurdles just giving her hair a permanent. But then the original screenplay by John Patrick Shanley is a wonderful, gently satirical tale of an Italian-American family dealing with repression and dissatisfaction against a backdrop of cultural expectations. Cher is focused and funny as a widow who feels she should marry an older fellow (Danny Aiello), but then falls for his black-sheep brother (Nicolas Cage). Olympia Dukakis and Vincent Gardenia are perfect as her parents, and John Mahoney has a memorable, small role as a middle-aged man on the make who gets a lecture from Dukakis's character.

Shanley's dialogue is comically stylized in a way that makes one appreciate how much words can inform an actor's performance. Taking its cues from him and director Norman Jewison, the cast immerse themselves in a pool of hilariously operatic emotion. (Tom Keogh, Amazon.com)

· Best Actress in a Leading Role 1987: Cher
· Best Supporting Actress in a Supporting Role 1987: Olympia Dukakis
· Best Screenplay Written Directly For the Screen 1987: John Patrick Shanley

· Best Picture of the Year 1987: Patrick Palmer & Norman Jewison - Producers (Palmer & Jewison, MGM)
· Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role 1987: Vincent Gardenia
· Achievement in Directing 1987: Norman Jewison

6 nominations, 3 Awards