Mystery Train
Seen it?1989 | 106 min | Comedy
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (89% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office loss. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Light and funny.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 46 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
In Memphis, Tennessee, over the course of a single night, the Arcade Hotel, run by an eccentric night clerk and a clueless bellboy, is visited by a young Japanese couple traveling in search of the roots of rock; an Italian woman in mourning who stumbles upon a fleeing charlatan girl; and a comical trio of accidental thieves looking for a place to hide.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
89% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Won 1 Cannes award: Cannes Film Festival: Best Artistic Contribution. Also nominated for 1 more Cannes award and 6 Independent Spirit Awards.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$2 million worldwide on a $3 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 82K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Saturday SpecialAnother comedy, and a Saturday Special.
Bandits
Weeknight WatchAnother comedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Beavis and Butt-Head Do America Sunday Safe BetAnother comedy, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Crocodile Dundee Saturday SpecialAnother comedy, and a Saturday Special.
The Ladykillers
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed comedy that fewer people know today.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Jim Jarmusch
- Youki KudohMitsuko
- Masatoshi NagaseJun
- Screamin' Jay HawkinsNight Clerk
- Cinqué LeeBellboy
- Nicoletta BraschiLuisa
- Elizabeth BraccoDee Dee
- Joe StrummerJohnny
- Rick AvilesWill Robinson
- Steve BuscemiCharlie
- Tom NoonanMan in Diner