Directed by:
Jim JarmuschScreenplay:
Jim JarmuschCinematography:
Robby MüllerComposer:
John LurieCast:
Masatoshi Nagase, Yūki Kudō, Cinqué Lee, Nicoletta Braschi, Tom Noonan, Sara Driver, Richard Boes, Steve Buscemi, Vondie Curtis-Hall, D'Army Bailey, Tom Waits (more)Plots(1)
A sleazy downtown motel in Memphis, Tennessee provides the stopping off point for three very different groups of people: a rock'n'roll obsessed Japanese couple paying a visit to Elvis' home, Graceland; a beautiful Italian widow who has a surprise encounter with the 'King' himself; and an inept gang of thugs seeking refuge in the hotel after a liquor store robbery. Cult director Jim Jarmusch links their stories together by the comic antics of the night clerk and bellboy, played by Screamin' Jay Hawkins and Spike Lee's brother Cinque. (Soda Pictures)
(more)Reviews (3)
In Stranger Than Paradise I enjoyed his legendary song, and in Mystery Train I was entertained by Screamin' Jay Hawkins in the irresistible role of a hotelier who one night discovers that he likes Japanese plums. Jim Jarmusch once again earns points, and it is impossible to decide which of the stories is better or, heaven forbid, the best. In the end, to be fair, the film itself, Memphis, the music and the legends at every turn win out. You know, when the ghost of Elvis himself is (presumably) involved in something, then it's hard to find a rating lower than five stars.
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After the minimalist early film Stranger Than Paradise, which I was not a huge fan of, Mystery Train once again rehabilitated Jarmusch for me. It's his traditional style with a slow narrative pace, seemingly fragmented structure of several parallel unfolding human destinies, with somewhat peculiar characters who are characterized by minor or major personality quirks, and their life stories intersect at a sleepy dilapidated motel with a pair of bizarre employees. As usual, Jarmusch takes aim at the values of American society and the so-called American dream, full of consumerist gloss. His characters are either absolute losers or foreign visitors who usually lose their illusions when confronted with the American reality. Elvis Presley plays a special role as a symbol of American pop culture. The film scores points with its atmosphere, subtle jokes, interesting casting, and the performances of the actors. Overall impression: 80%.
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Jim Jarmusch is a very specific filmmaker and his film may not suit everyone. This film is more conversational, a little philosophical, like all of Jarmusch's other films, but here I felt like there really wasn't much going on. However, the film had some good scenes and, most importantly, enjoyable performances.
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