Review of Minnie and Moskowitz (1971) by Trent J — 05 Jun 2007

I like John Cassavetes quite a bit, but I think this is probably one of his best films. It's funnier than his other films and not as long, which makes it his most accessible by far. I've heard this song by Le Tigre called "What's Yr Take on Cassavetes" where they list a bunch of words to possibly describe the director.

One of them is "Misogynist," and I've always wondered why (if someone could explain it to me, I'd be interested in listening!) I could sort-of see it in this film: it's true that Minnie doesn't feel happiness or fulfillment until there is a man in her life, and has resigned herself to believing it, but the sincerity of Rowland's performance and Cassavetes' treatment & conception of her character make this feel natural for her; rather than be a symbol of any kind, she is Minnie Moore with her failings and weaknesses; and her happiness, and the choices she make are for her only, have bearing only on her.

And we still care, we want her to be happy, we are with her in her longing for fulfillment and joy. I don't think Cassavetes is making any grand statements about sex or gender here, he's focusing on the characters of Minnie Moore and Seymour Moskowitz as people, as if they were real and alive, and in the hands of Cassavetes, they seem exactly that.