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Mystery Train [1989]
![Mystery Train [1989]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512689AC9WL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £15.99
Our Price: £3.31 (subject to change)
Jarmusch's best film, in my humble opinion
Review date: 2008-08-10 Rating: 10 out of 10
I'm not much of a fan of Jim Jarmusch, but 1989's Mystery Train (his fourth film and first one in color) is quite engaging in they way it tells three minimalist stories occurring in what is presumably the seedier side of Memphis. An Elvis motif runs through all the episodes, which are set mostly in a rundown hotel during one night (Blues legend Screaming Jay Hawkins plays the clerk). In the first episode, a young Japanese couple arrives in the town which gave birth to rock and roll (she is quirky, he is impassive; she loves Elvis, he Carl Perkins). In the second episode, an Italian woman (Niccoleta Braschi) whose husband has just died has to spend a night in Memphis. She shares the room in the hotel with a talkative American woman (Elizabeth Bracco). During the night, she imagines or sees the ghost of Elvis. In the third episode, a British guy who is called Elvis by his lowlife friends, and who has just broken with the woman of the second episode (and is played by the late Clash guitarist Joe Strummer) more or less accidentally shots a liquor shop seller, and has to take refuge in the hotel, along with his brother in law (played by Steve Buscemi). A gunshot heard during the night sort of links the three episodes. Nothing much happens, but Jarmusch shows his love with American pop culture and his fine ear for the way the American working class talk everyday.
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Reviews
Uninspired
Review date: 2008-07-27 Rating: 4 out of 10
This film tried to be cute and ironic but it falls short on the cuteness and the irony was never more than facile. The fundamental problem is that the observations weren't sharp enough to carry the storyline which while quite clever in its use of time across the sequences is fundamentally weak.
In the final sequence, there is nothing at all attractive or amusing about the characters or the situation but it doesn't have a sufficiently strong subtext or metaphorical backdrop either.
I was fundamentally disappointed with the flatness of the whole thing even while understanding that flatness, disappointment and disillusionment were the basic themes of the film. It didn't rise above its own world weary apathy.
JJ at his finest
Review date: 2007-09-15 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is a perfect film. Darkly funny, great direction, understated, wonderful lighting, sublime music, excellent performances. And the Japanese and Italian dialogue IS subtitled. Ignore the reviewer who claimed the DVD does not have subtitles in English. He also said he had not bought it, so how can we trust the reviwer's judgment? Go buy, you'll not regret it.
Beware: Brilliant film, crap DVD release
Review date: 2005-03-04 Rating: 6 out of 10
I'd give 'Mystery Train' an unreserved 5 stars as a film, but I have to reduce that to 3 stars on account of this DVD release (on MGM Home Ent) having no subtitles (the same is true of the 'Night On Earth' DVD, but thankfully I found that out before shelling out for it).
I saw this fabulous film at the cinema when it came out, and the first mini-story with the Japanese couple is a wonderful and heartwarmingly deadpan bit of comedy; their dialogue is superb. My dissappointment at discovering this edition has no subtitles was therefore huge, and it more or less ruins the film for me. If you understand (or are) Japanese you'll have no problem. Why on earth have they omitted subtitles on DVD? It seems insane to me. If you love Jarmusch as I do, then write to MGM and ask them to amend this stupid oversight. I'm certainly not buying 'Night On Earth' until a subtitled edition is available.
Alternative American Dream
Review date: 2004-01-06 Rating: 10 out of 10
From the second Amtracks' Texas Eagle comes curving along the line, to the sound of perhaps "The King" greatest Sun City recording, you know your in for real slice authentic Americana. What you don't expect is just how darkley funny and absoubing haunting this "Mystery" journey into Americas' deep south underbelly actually is. An unwelcoming neon lit,run down Hotel in an equally seedy Memphis suburb brings together the lives and stories of two Japanesse tourists, hoplessly out of place, Sreaming Jay Hawkins, Joe Strummer and the always brilliant Steve Buscemi to wonderful effect. Highly recommended.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Masatoshi Nagase
Rufus Thomas
Cinqué Lee
Youki Kudoh
Creators:
Masatoshi Nagase (Primary Contributor)
Youki Kudoh (Primary Contributor)
Robby Müller (Cinematographer)
Jim Jarmusch (Writer)
Demetra J. MacBride (Producer)
Hideaki Suda (Producer)
Jim Stark (Producer)
Kunijiro Hirata (Producer)
Rudd Simmons (Producer)
Director(s):
Recording label: MGM Entertainment
Manufacturer: MGM Entertainment
EAN: 5050070009552
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2003-04-28
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1990-01
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Italian (Original Language)
Language: Japanese (Original Language)