gavin6942 Three stories are connected by a Memphis hotel and the spirit of Elvis Presley.I love how this film takes for granted the universality of Elvis -- he is not only synonymous with Memphis, but is well known to both Americans and foreigners (Italians and Japanese, in this film).Indeed, director Jarmusch points out that with our crumbling American culture (his words, not mine) all that our culture ever offered was musicians and movie stars. American culture is not opera, painting or theater (though we may have these things) -- it is Elvis and Hollywood.Throw in Steve Buscemi to an already great film, and you have gold. There is no film he cannot make better (even rather lackluster ones like "Floundering").

luca kun Three stories about three sets of off beat characters, one scenario: Memphis. Mystery train is a clever and funny film in full Jarmush style; in my opinion it is an enjoyable and light hearted film constructed in such a way that as the plot proceeds, the audience begins to pay attention to various details used as a way to connect the three stories together. I enjoyed particularly the first story which depicted the Japanese couple on a discovery tour of Memphis, here Jarmush's interest for the human's behaviour is evident as the couple relationship, although it might seem to be almost comical, is in fact a quite realistic stereotyipical representation of a Japanese relationship.Definitely worth watching it if you are into independent "no mainstream" films.

ametaphysicalshark Today I watched my first Alain Resnais film and my first Jim Jarmusch film. I didn't love "Coeurs", but thought it was technically impressive and admired most of all Resnais' mise-en-scene, and it thankfully made me interested in seeing more Resnais films. On the other hand, "Mystery Train", which coincidentally also has interconnecting stories, was a real disappointment. I'll say this right now: I didn't 'get' this movie, I don't understand why it's acclaimed, and it didn't exactly make me want to see more Jarmusch films, especially as he is supposedly an auteur, suggesting that his writing for other films, or at least most of his other films, would be similar to this.I didn't think this film was impressive at all on any technical scale. It's not 'simple' or 'understated', it's borderline simplistic, or at least seemed so to me. Jarmusch's approach to the film is thoroughly conventional and expected in every scene, there was nothing interesting about the mise-en-scene, nothing special about his approach whatsoever. Moreover, it's not even an especially well-shot film by normal Hollywood standards, just 'solid'. My real problem with the film however was the writing. I found it to be truly poor for much of the film. The opening segment with the Japanese couple is the epitome of pretentious quirk, something which is only emphasized by the lead actor's awful stare-and-pause-between-words approach, which I'd also blame on Jarmusch. I don't even think there should be a 'point' to things necessarily, but I've rarely seen anything so self-congratulatory and for what? Wow, you wrote a silly story about Japanese caricatures in Memphis filled with borderline racist jokes which have been used in movies for decades! Whoop-de-doo! The second story is better, but still undeserving of the film's reputation. An Italian tourist in Memphis is tricked into buying a stack of magazines, a con-man attempts to cheat her out of 20 bucks with an Elvis ghost story, then she ends up at the hotel which connects the three stories, shares a room with an annoying American, and sees Elvis' ghost. At least it's entertaining. The third story should've been better, but again, the caricatures get progressively more annoying and the quirky, self-congratulatory, 'clever' humor is just unbearable. This isn't far removed from the sort of 'indie comedy' which is ruining the movies for anyone with a sense of humor, and it has made further adventures in Jarmusch-land a worrying prospect. Ugh. I'm pretty sure this movie's reputation is almost entirely built on it being 'cool' due to the soundtrack, Screamin' Jay Hawkins (who IS cool), etc, but you know what? The billionth time that Japanese idiot mentioned Carl Perkins I wished I was listening to Carl Perkins. If this is the work of a great director... Godard did make "King Lear", that gives me some hope.

VidSteh This movie is another masterpiece from Jim Jarmusch. The movie is about three different stories which are taking place in the same place at the same time (at night in some cheap motel). Jim Jarmusch is really good in telling different stories who are connected one to each other and also in this case he's doing a great job. The characters in the movie are very realistic, likable and you can feel connected to them despite the fact they're always in some bizarre troubles. Mystery train is another movie which shows the life of common people, but I think this is his funniest movie, just before Night on earth. The humor is fresh and unpredictable, very warm and realistic. The movie consists of three different stories: Far from Yokohama - the first story of a young Japanese couple, obsessed with Elvis Presley. From the beginning very humorous clip, but both man and woman were really annoying for my taste and after a while this clip became boring and uninteresting, especially the last clip with sex scene in hotel.Ghost - I liked this one. Very funny, somewhere scary with the story of the ghost of Elvis Presley haunting the city, but overall a really good clip. The appearance of Elvis was very funny and the dialog between two main female characters were also great.Lost in space - The best clip. Funny and sad at the same time. Steve Buscemi is really funny in this clip, also Joe Strummer was very convincing character. The way this clip ends is one of the best movie scenes I've ever seen - the characters running away from the police, despite the fact that the police are not looking for them. The best clip in the whole movie.In all three clips I especially liked Tom Waits and his voice as a DJ on a local radio. Overall, Mystery Train is a funny movie, with a lot of drama, comedy and memorable scenes. Jarmusch is really a genius of making movies and this one proves it. For the fans of Jarmusch this is MUST SEE movie.