Joy Behar Slams Nicolas Cage's 'Moonstruck' Role: 'Didn't Represent Italians That Well'

Joy Behar Criticizes Nicolas Cage's Portrayal in 'Moonstruck'

Joy Behar, co-host of "The View," recently voiced her disapproval of Nicolas Cage's performance in the 1987 film "Moonstruck." During a segment on the daytime talk show, Behar, who is Italian-American, stated that the movie "never represented Italians that well," pinpointing this as her primary issue with the film and Cage's portrayal of a character of Italian descent.

The Discussion on 'The View'

The conversation unfolded during a discussion about Nicolas Cage's past relationship with Sarah Jessica Parker. Cage had recently revealed that he and Parker dated, and their relationship ended after Parker met his parents. This prompted Behar to jokingly wonder if Parker's parents might have been put off by Cage's "Moonstruck" performance.

Co-hosts Disagree with Behar's Assessment

Behar's opinion was met with disagreement from her fellow co-hosts on "The View." Whoopi Goldberg defended Cage's performance, calling it "great." Alyssa Farah Griffin also weighed in, questioning whether they were unfairly "dragging Nicolas Cage."

Behar Clarifies Her Stance

In response to the differing opinions, Behar clarified her position, emphasizing her Italian heritage and reiterating her belief that "Moonstruck" failed to accurately represent Italians. When Goldberg inquired about movies that she felt did a good job of representing people, Behar humorously suggested "The Godfather Part II."

The Context: Cage's Admission and 'Moonstruck's Legacy

The debate on "The View" stemmed from Nicolas Cage's recent revelation about his past relationship with Sarah Jessica Parker and the circumstances surrounding their breakup. This provided a jumping-off point for the co-hosts to discuss Cage's career and, ultimately, his role in "Moonstruck," a film that has been largely praised since its release in 1987.

'Moonstruck': A Beloved Film with a Lasting Impact

"Moonstruck," starring Cher and Nicolas Cage, was a box office success and received critical acclaim. The film garnered several Academy Award nominations and won three, including Best Actress for Cher. Its enduring popularity has made it a cultural touchstone, but Behar's recent comments highlight how cultural representation in media can still be a point of contention, even decades later.

Italian-American Representation in Film

Behar's criticism touches on the broader topic of how Italian-Americans are portrayed in film and television. While some portrayals have been lauded for their authenticity and nuance, others have been criticized for perpetuating stereotypes. Behar's comments suggest that she believes "Moonstruck" falls into the latter category, at least in terms of Cage's specific portrayal.

The Initial Reactions

The segment on "The View" sparked immediate discussion among the co-hosts, highlighting the subjective nature of cultural representation and the diverse opinions surrounding "Moonstruck." The exchange between Behar, Goldberg, and Griffin underscored the complexities of analyzing a film's portrayal of a particular culture.

Online Discussion and Media Coverage

Behar's remarks about Nicolas Cage and "Moonstruck" quickly spread online, with entertainment news outlets like People.com and Entertainment Weekly reporting on the story. The coverage indicates that Behar's comments have resonated with viewers and sparked further debate about the film and its depiction of Italian-Americans.

The Bigger Picture: Cultural Representation in Media

Joy Behar's critique of Nicolas Cage's "Moonstruck" performance taps into a larger, ongoing conversation about the representation of specific cultures in media. This conversation is often fraught with differing perspectives, as what one person considers an accurate or respectful portrayal, another may find offensive or stereotypical.

No Major Backlash, But A Point of Contention

While Behar's comments have generated discussion, they have not resulted in a major public outcry or backlash against Nicolas Cage or "Moonstruck." Instead, they seem to be regarded as a personal opinion from a well-known media figure. Nonetheless, her perspective highlights the continuing sensitivity surrounding cultural representation and the potential for even well-regarded works of art to be viewed critically through this lens.

'The Godfather Part II' as a Counter-Example

Behar's humorous suggestion of "The Godfather Part II" as a film that accurately represents Italians points to the complexity of defining "accurate" representation. While "The Godfather" films are widely acclaimed, they have also been criticized for their portrayal of Italian-Americans as gangsters and criminals. Behar's comment suggests that she finds the characters and themes in "The Godfather Part II" to be more nuanced and representative of her own experiences as an Italian-American.

The ongoing absence of a response

As of July 18, 2025, Nicolas Cage has not publicly responded to Behar's comments about his "Moonstruck" role.