s be lovers pretend to be ltalian in orderto woo one another.</p><p> Hollywood does the same with audiences: whenever it needs someone warmhearted, loud and willing to make hand gestures at the drop of a hat, it turns to an Italian character - though not always an Italian actor.</p><p> Here are some of Hollywood's most lovable ltalians and whether they're distinctive or just stereotypes.</p><p> MOONSTRUCKOgET) tlqv thds ltafnn: Loretta (Cher, in her Oscar-winning role) is a widow who wants a nice, safe, quiet marriage ... until she meets her fiance's moody, passionate, frustrating younger brother (a never-better Nicolas Cage).</p><p> Befiembifity: When Cage says, "l love you," Cher slaps him and says, *Snap out of it!" Stereo- type? You bet - and all the more hilarious for it.</p><p> SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER 0977' llow thafs ltalan: Always grittier than you remember, this look at Tony Manero (a magnetic John Travolta) can't get enough of his swagger, his strut and his carefully coiffed hair.</p><p> Betembf,tf Tony is as self-satisfied as a peacock, and it's awfully appealing. lt's awall and can barely contain his discomfort and prejudice over his mostly black clientele.</p><p> BefrsabiEtf Aiello isn't lovable, but Lee doesn't make him a monster, either.</p><p> He's a genuine, flawed human being.</p><p> Aiello is allowed to reveal the frightened, uncertain human behind a bigoted, stereotyped front.</p><p> BREAKTNGAWAYO9T9) tlw th#s ltaEan: Dennis Christopher had the role of a lifetime playing Dave Stollel a small-town kid obsessed with cycling long before Lance Armstrong made it cool. fefen|liftf Dave eats ltalian food, rides an Italian bike and says, "Buongiomo, papa!" (Dad, the grumpy Paul Dooley, snaps, "l'm not'papa!'") And he's not even ltalian - he just wants to be.quite easily. knowing, spot-on portrait that gives the ttalian i edimffitt: Ameche is so dignified and dandy a modern, New York twist. i reserved (with just a tiny twinkle in his eye), you don't doubt for a second that people would buyMARTY C1955) i hir * u r- of power.</p><p> And his simple detisht Now tlufs ltalian: Marty (Ernest Borgnine) i in the good life is adorable.</p><p> Doesn't come within is a butcher whose ltalian family is always i a mile of a stereotype. badgering him to get married (of course).</p><p> Clara is a ptain-Jane schootteacher.</p><p> They've both i DO THE RIGHT THING 0989) been alone so long they can't imagine anyone i ilow ftds ltalan: Spike Lee's landmark, wanting to be with them. i furiously funny drama about a very hot summer e*evamtf Marty is a sweetheart But he's i day in New York City deserves more credit for so passive and insecure, we never think of him I the rounded porfait of a pizzeria owner (Danny as "ltalian," but as a specific, genuine guy.</p><p> I Aiello) who puts pictures of Frank Sinatra on theNow thafs ltalian! Michael GilE
