This is considered by most Cassavetites to be one of his more lightweight films, for several good reasons - it was also made earlier on in his career, but it's got some hints at themes that would define C's later style. That said, it's a very self-defeating romantic comedy, which was fun to watch in that it was interesting, but it left me feeling emptier than other, better films by that director. It starts out with the introduction of Moskowitz, a lonely semi-insane parking lot attendant - the kind of guy you immediately like because he's not pretentious or put on in any way, but that you quickly get sick of because he's not that interesting. Then it goes to Minnie - a lonely, guarded, single museum guide who's having an affair with a guy who's married (played by C himself) and who, when put to the test, ultimately puts his family over her. This makes Minnie so depressed she consents to a blind date that turns out to be disastrous and in the chaos that ensues finally meets Moskowitz (in the parking lot). This reminded me a bit of Frankie and Johnny, vaguely, in that they both consist of a plot revolving around boy-meets-girl, boy-stalks-girl, girl-eventually-lets-down-shield-caused-by-emotional-trauma, and they get married or something. Frankie and Johnny, while not overall a very well-made movie, hit on some truths such as you need protection in love, you need to heal your wounds and not try to cover them up, there is such a thing as a kindred spirit - whereas Minnie and Moscowitz seemed to end up at the point where both the characters simply let go - of everything that defined their personality or individuality. They helped each other to not care, and in some ways, by the end with their marriage, it seemed like they were just waiting to die. It's an interesting movie to be sure, but it was very flawed - it could have been great as an all-out mockery of the romantic comedy, but as was it just fell on its face like a girl who tries to dance but is too shy.
Review of Minnie and Moskowitz
