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Mystery Train

United States, Japan

1989

110 Min
Color
1.77:1
Italian, Japanese, English
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
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DIR Jim Jarmusch

PROD Jim Stark

SCR Jim Jarmusch

DP Robby Müller

CAST Masatoshi Nagase, Youki Kudoh, Nicoletta Braschi, Elizabeth Bracco, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Joe Strummer, Rick Aviles, Steve Buscemi, Cinqué Lee, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Rufus Thomas, Jodie Markell, Sy Richardson, Tom Noonan, Sara Driver, Stephen Jones

ED Melody London

PROD DES Dan Bishop

MUSIC John Lurie

Cannes (In Competition): Best Artistic Contribution, Edinburgh, New York, Toronto, London

Synopsis

Aloof teenage Japanese tourists, a frazzled Italian widow, and a disgruntled British immigrant all converge in the city of dreams—which, in Mystery Train, from Jim Jarmusch, is Memphis. Made with its director’s customary precision and wit, this triptych of stories pays playful tribute to the home of Stax Records, Sun Studio, Graceland, Carl Perkins, and, of course, the King, who presides over the film like a spirit. Mystery Train is one of Jarmusch’s very best movies, a boozy and beautiful pilgrimage to an iconic American ghost town and a paean to the music it gave the world. –The Criterion Collection

Director

Original

Jim Jarmusch

With his trademark shock of white hair and ultra-cool rock star persona, Jim Jarmusch is the archetypal auteur of American independent film. Born on January 22, 1953, in Akron, OH, Jarmusch was the son of a former film critic for the Akron Beacon Journal. In University, he went to Paris as an exchange student and spend most of his time at the Parisian Cinemas. Upon his return to New York, Jarmusch transferred to Columbia University, where, though he eventually received a degree in English literature. With no film experience, he was accepted into New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and soon found himself a teaching assistant to legendary maverick filmmaker Nicholas Ray. Ray helped him get funding for his thesis project, Permanent Vacation (1980). Though the film was later released to critical acclaim, his professors were underwhelmed by his final project and Jarmusch never got a degree from N.Y.U.

Jarmusch’s break came with his next film; the 30-minute short eventually… read more

Wall

Displaying 4 of 27 wall posts.
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Harry Rossi

24Jan12

Really beautifully shot with a fantastic sense of atmosphere. Really loved it.

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McSmith

27Dec11

Another Jarmusch I just couldn't get into (like Night On Earth, Coffee & Cigarettes, Stranger Than Paradise). His style seems tailor-made for me but here just feels very stifling. Instead of meandering or "slice of life" the narratives are just boring; the characters have the potential to be interesting, but the script feels first draft. The film has its moments, but not enough to justify 110 mins of screentime.

Picture of Grace Madeira

Grace Madeira

1Nov11

Train I ride is sixteen coaches long Well, that long black train take my baby and gone...... Elvis has left the building

Picture of Kaloy

Kaloy

17Oct11

The first Jarmusch film that I really enjoyed watching. Good stuff

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Mystery Train

By asuraf on July 10, 2010
On a lonely Memphis night three stories begin to intertwine around a flophouse, an Elvis tune, and a sense of desperate fascination towards an America that would let one of it’s richest musical cities…

Forum

Displaying 4 discussion topics.

Mystery Train (1989)--What Parts Made You Laugh?

16 posts by 5 people 3 months ago

What do you think about Jim Jarmusch?

193 posts by 28 people 10 months ago

MYSTERY TRAIN COMING TO CRITERION!!!!!!!!!!!

22 posts by 16 people almost 2 years ago

Jarmusch confirms Criterion release

8 posts by 8 people over 2 years ago