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Bagdad Cafe

Name: Bagdad Cafe
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Released: 1987-11-12
Cast: Marianne Sägebrecht, CCH Pounder, Jack Palance, Christine Kaufmann, Monica Calhoun

1987 | 108 min | Comedy, Drama

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (81% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. 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. If you loved My Girl, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood: Funny with heart.
The pace: Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 48 min.
What might put you off: Nothing much for most grown-ups.

A German woman named Jasmin stumbles upon a dilapidated motel/diner in the middle of nowhere. Her unusual appearance and demeanor are at first suspicious to Brenda, the exasperated owner who has difficulty making ends meet. But when an unlikely magic sparks between the two women, this lonely desert outpost is transformed into a thriving and popular oasis.

How it earned its rating

CriticsStrong
81% on Rotten Tomatoes, 71 on Metacritic
AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
AwardsBelow par
3 wins and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
Box office & staying powerBelow par
$4 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 62K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Percy Adlon

Marianne SägebrechtJasmin Münchgstettner
CCH PounderBrenda
Jack PalanceRudi Cox
Christine KaufmannDebby
Monica CalhounPhyllis
Darron FlaggSalomo
George AguilarCahuenga
G. Smokey CampbellSal
Hans StadlbauerMr. Münchgstettner
Alan S. CraigEric