Minnie and Moskowitz

Colour, 35 mm
USA, 1971, 114 min
Section: John Cassavetes

Synopsis

“You know I think that movies are a conspiracy. They set you up from the time you’re a little kid. They set you up to believe in ideals, and strength and good guys and romance - and, of course, love.” – Minnie Moore

Cassavetes’ version of a romantic comedy offers a high-volume, high-energy exploration of the attraction and repulsion of affection, particularly through the volatile relationship of the title characters, two dissimilar yet equally lonely people. Anxious blonde Minnie Moore (Gena Rowlands) works as a curator at a Los Angeles modern art museum and maintains an abusive relationship with a married man (Cassavetes). When her concerned colleague sets her up on a blind date that goes disastrously wrong, Minnie is rescued by Seymour Moskowitz (Seymour Cassel), a long-haired, preposterously moustached parking lot attendant from New Jersey. Single-minded and spontaneous, Seymour decides that Minnie is the woman of his life and launches an all-out campaign to win her love (that would constitute stalking today.)  Ambivalent Minnie recognizes their extreme differences, but her belief in romance ultimately allows her to reciprocate. With Cassavetes’ mother as Mrs. Moskowitz and Rowlands’ mother as Mrs. Moore.

About the director

see Tribute to John Cassavetes