Love, transformation and mysticism play key roles in Moonstruck, and at the heart of this offbeat romantic comedy released 35 years ago is Loretta Castorini (Cher), navigating Italian-American family dynamics, a marriage proposal, an unexpected turn of events, and metamorphosis—while the biggest celestial body closest to Earth affects the characters during a particularly brighter phase.

“Look! It’s Cosmo’s moon!” exclaims Raymond (Louis Guss) to his wife, Rita (Julie Bovasso), as he peers out their bedroom window in Brooklyn Heights. It’s a moment where most characters in the film marvel at its mesmerizing effect: a spectacular orb of temporary beauty and natural light.