Jim Jarmusch broadens his scope with this episodic tale of a night in the life of several Memphis, Tennessee, inhabitants who unknowingly find themselves lodging at the same hotel. The first episode, "Far from Yokohama," is about two Japanese teenagers (Youki Kudoh and Masatoshe Nagase) on a pilgrimage to the birthplace of rock and roll, Sun Studios, where Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins got their start. In the second story, "A Ghost," two strangers meet and become friends. One is an Italian tourist, Luisa (Nicoletta Braschi), who is on the way back to Rome in order to bury her husband; the other, Dee Dee (Elizabeth Bracco), has just dumped her British boyfriend, Johnny (Joe Strummer). During the middle of the night, Luisa is visited by the ghost of Elvis. "Lost in Space," the final segment, brings all the characters together briefly, as Johnny goes on a violent drinking spree with Dee Dee's brother (Steve Buscemi) and another friend (Rick Aviles). Throughout all of this, the hotel's night clerk (Screamin' Jay Hawkins) and bellboy (Cinque Lee) listen to the local radio and engage in aimless conversation. Jarmusch once again uses his distinct sense of humor to dispel cultural myths--this time it's the legend of Memphis--by placing an eclectic group of tourists into an unquestionably American environment.
Jim Jarmusch broadens his scope with this episodic tale of a night in the life of several Memphis, Tennessee, inhabitants who unknowingly find themselves lodging at the same hotel. The first episode, "Far from Yokohama," is about two Japanese teenagers (Youki Kudoh and Masatoshe Nagase) on a pilgrimage to the birthplace of rock and roll, Sun Studios, where Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins got their start. In the second story, "A Ghost," two strangers meet and become friends. One is an Italian tourist, Luisa (Nicoletta Braschi), who is on the way back to Rome in order to bury her husband; the other, Dee Dee (Elizabeth Bracco), has just dumped her British boyfriend, Johnny (Joe Strummer). During the middle of the night, Luisa is visited by the ghost of Elvis. "Lost in Space," the final segment, brings all the characters together briefly, as Johnny goes on a violent drinking spree with Dee Dee's brother (Steve Buscemi) and another friend (Rick Aviles). Throughout all of this, the hotel's night clerk (Screamin' Jay Hawkins) and bellboy (Cinque Lee) listen to the local radio and engage in aimless conversation. Jarmusch once again uses his distinct sense of humor to dispel cultural myths--this time it's the legend of Memphis--by placing an eclectic group of tourists into an unquestionably American environment.
Released theatrically in New York City November 17, 1989.
The movie was shot in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning in August 1988.
MYSTERY TRAIN was the first American production to be completely financed by the Japanese electronic firm JVC.
The film is named after Elvis Presley's Sun Records single "Mystery Train," which is also featured on the soundtrack.
MYSTERY TRAIN was director Jim Jarmusch's first color film since his debut, 1982's PERMANENT VACATION.
The film was screened at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival, Midnight Sun Film Festival, Edinburgh Festival, Toronto Festival of Festivals, New York Film Festival, and London Film Festival.
Singer-songwriter Tom Waits, who plays the DJ in MYSTERY TRAIN, was also featured in Jarmusch's DOWN BY LAW.
Set decorator Dianna Freas also did the paintings for the hotel rooms.
Will Robinson, the Rick Aviles character in the "Lost in Space" episode, was also the name of the Billy Mumy character on the TV series Lost in Space.
Estimated budget: $3 million.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Widescreen
Full Frame - 1.33
Additional Release Material:
Trailer - Theatrical Trailer
Additional Products:
Collectible Booklet
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Review 1:
"...Evocatively photographed...touched with comic inspiration..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.64 12/01/1989
Review 2:
"...Blissful....[Jarmusch is especially] good with actors. The MYSTERY TRAIN performers fly..."
Source: New York Times
p.C16 09/29/1989
Review 3:
"...[The film] lingers on in the memory....Jarmusch's conscious, Downtown deadpan style belies a wonderful romantic spirit. He has a sense of time -- of the moment, and of time passing -- that is heartbreaking..."
Source: Film Comment
p.67-9 07/01/1989
Review 4:
"...It's a jewel-like, minimalist film about a group of crisscrossing wanderers and outlaws on one lyrically strange day and night in Memphis -- where haphazard-seeming events slowly merge into entrancingly complex figures and patterns..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.C12 12/15/1989
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