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| Minnie and Moskowitz | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | John Cassavetes |
| Written by | John Cassavetes |
| Produced by | Al Ruban |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography |
|
| Edited by | Fred Knudtson |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 114 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $900,000 |
Minnie and Moskowitz is a 1971 Americanromanticcomedy-drama film written and directed byJohn Cassavetes and starring his wifeGena Rowlands andSeymour Cassel in the title roles of Minnie and Moskowitz, respectively.
Seymour Moskowitz is an eccentric and uncouthparking attendant who has just moved from New York City to Los Angeles. Minnie Moore is a museum curator in an abusive relationship with a married man named Jim. Following their fight, she becomes disillusioned with love and meaningful relationships. Minnie talks with her co-worker and friend Florence about getting older and her chances of finding the right man.
The next day, Florence sets Minnie up on a blind date with a bitter and loudmouthed widower, Zelmo. The date goes badly and ends with Zelmo chasing her out of the restaurant. Seymour, working the parking lot, witnesses the commotion and engages in a physical altercation with Zelmo. Seymour wins the fight, bloodying Zelmo's face, and Zelmo drives away crying, stranding Minnie. Seymour offers to give her a ride, which she refuses, but he pursues her in his truck and forces her inside. He drives her to her workplace, theLos Angeles County Museum of Art. Jim is waiting inside with his son and ends the relationship, revealing that his wife has attempted suicide. Infuriated and hurt, Minnie slaps Jim.
Seymour appears at Minnie's house to confront her about costing him his job at the parking lot. He takes her to a bar for a drink and then proclaims his love for her at a hot-dog stand. He berates her for taking herself too seriously when she does not return his affections. After leaving Minnie, Seymour brings a woman to his apartment who stays overnight.
Seymour takes Minnie to an ice-cream parlor and a country-and-western bar. In the parking lot, they dance to the music and kiss. When Minnie fails to introduce Seymour to her wealthy friends on the way into the bar, he angrily drives away and strands her, just as Zelmo had done. A wealthy male friend drives her home, where Seymour is waiting. The men fight, injuring Minnie in the process.
Seymour brings Minnie inside to recover, where she admits that she does not see a future with Seymour. Insisting that they are meant for each other, he threatens to kill himself and then cuts hiswalrus moustache in a frenzy. Minnie finally agrees to marry him and tells her mother about the news. Minnie and Seymour go to dinner with their mothers, who are hesitant and dubious about the marriage. Seymour's mother calls him a "bum" and tells Minnie that she could do much better than her son. Minnie's mother is overwhelmed and nearly speechless at the abruptness of the news and Seymour's appearance and personality.
Minnie and Seymour marry, laughing as the minister forgets his lines and fumbles for his notes. Aflashforward shows a sunny backyard birthday party, possibly for their own child.
Minnie and Moskowitz is among a small number of low-budget (less than $1 million) films bankrolled byUniversal Studios in the early 1970s in an attempt to copy the success ofEasy Rider. Several months after the film's release,Universal Studios shortened the film's running time by excising a scene near the beginning of the film, but doing so violated the studio's contract with Cassavetes.[citation needed] All releases (including the DVD) since that time are missing this scene.
Principal photography took place from late March to mid-Jun 1971 in Los Angeles and New York City.[1]
The film received generally positive reviews. In 1973, Cassavetes was nominated for aWriters Guild of America Award for Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen.
On thereview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 82% based on 17 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10.[2]
The characters Big John and Little John spend Halloween night smoking marijuana and watchingMinnie and Moskowitz in the 2021 horror filmHalloween Kills.[3][4][5][6][7]
