Why I was moved by Permanent Vacation
I was able to watch the movie because Criterion included the film in Stranger than Paradise DVD.
I think there can be no doubt this is a realistic portrayal of aimless souls who is unable to hold a job or settle down in one place permanently. I don't remember the film completely, but I do remember I was moved by its realism. I remember the protagonist going to a theater and talking to a black man. He is one of people whom I call Ghetto Philosopher who undoubtedly exist in New York City. While he is speaking his meaningless monologue, we hear sound from the end of The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly. That is exactly what happens if you talk to a bum in a run-down theater in Manhattan.
The protagonist also goes to a deserted area in somewhere in Manhattan and meets a woman who has lost all sense of reality. (And many such people exist in Manhattan.) Allie's reaction to the woman's insanity is exact from real people who are similar to him.
At the end, Allie goes to harbor to catch a boat. (He is going to Paris, I think.) He sees a man who has just arrived at New York from somewhere in Europe. They talk to each other about traveling. I think the scene shows how many people like Allie there are, which is true to life.
They are the reasons why I was moved by Permenant Vacation. I have also watched Stranger than Paradise and Down by Law. I liked them so much I ordered Midnight Train and Night on Earth.