Mystery Train (The Criterion Collection) (1989)

Mystery Train is a fascinating snapshot of Memphis through the eyes of foreigners and the disenfranchised. The stories in this film run the gamut from romantic to touching to amusing but all with a humanistic streak running through them. Jarmusch would follow this film with Night on Earth Criterion Collection which would adhere to the same structure but on a much more ambitious level.

In the way of special features, there is a "Q&A with Jim." As he has done for past Criterion editions of his films, Jarmusch answers questions submitted by fans in lieu of an audio commentary. They are by no means restricted to the film but the bulk of them do pertain to it. Jarmusch confirms that Tom Waits' D.J. heard in the film is in fact the character he played in Down by Law Criterion Collection. He talks about how he worked with the Japanese actors and the origins of their segment title. He also talks about his favourite Elvis era and addresses the barren and bleak look of Memphis in the film.

"I Put a Spell on Me" features excerpts from a 2001 documentary on Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Jarmusch is interviewed and talks about when he first heard Jay's signature song, "I Put a Spell on You," how he used it in Stranger Than Paradise Criterion Collection and then cast him in Mystery Train. Jay talks about working on the film and shares some amusing anecdotes on this fantastic extra.

"Memphis Tour" revisits many of the locations used in the film. We get a brief history of each location and what happened to it since filming. The restaurant used is the oldest in the city. Unfortunately, the hotel featured so prominently in the film was torn down a year after it was made. This is a fascinating extra that takes a look at how these locales have changed over the years.

"Polaroids" features snapshots taken on location during filming.

Finally, there is a gallery of behind-the-scenes images from a photo book published at the time of the film's release.

I can't give a plot summary except to say there are 3 acts (or mini-films) which happen simultaneously one night in Memphis in 1988. These are just random odd people that make you curious about their past and future. If you like subtle slow paced character studies this is right up your alley.

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This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

Mystery Train is the fourth film directed by Jim Jarmusch. It is quite a good film and depicts tourists visiting Memphis, Tennessee. The main two are a Japanese couple who are planning to visit Elvis Presley's home, (hence the film's title) One thing I like about the film is that the Japanese couple speaks their own language when talking to each other, making it more realistic. The other two people in the film are an Italian widow taking her dead husband back home, and a British man.

This is the fourth release and fifth film by Jim Jarmusch that Criterion Collection has released and I would love to see more.

This supplements include audio of Jim Jarmusch answering questions asked to him on Criterion's website, (Jarmusch doesn't do commentaries as he does not like watching the film's he's made after finishing them), Production photos, a documentary on the filming locations, and Memphis, and scenes from a documentary on one of the film's actors Screamin' Jay Hawkins.

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In MYSTERY TRAIN (1989), writer/director Jim Jaurmusch ties three separate stories together using a run-down Memphis motel and an Elvis song on the radio (his SUN Records slow ballad, "Blue Moon"). Night manager of the hostel where everything converges is Screamin' Jay Hawkins, of "I Put a Spell on You" fame. This song was integral to an earlier Jarmusch feature (and short) called STRANGER THAN PARADISE (1984). (Hawkins BTW does a fine job here.)

First of the trio is two youngsters from Japan who make a Memphis pilgramage to visit the home and environs of Elvis Presley. The seedy part of town where they bed down for the night may in hindsight come as a culture shock, but these two are so "into" the experience of the moment, they only spend a brief time discussing the contrast to Yokohama. Her devotion to the King and his contrary preference for Carl Perkins, plus her sweet nature and his dour one would seemingly be incompatible, yet they're very much in love with each other and this American adventure. The sound of a pistol shot is the only actual link to the other stories.

Next is an Italian widow who's just passing through on her way to Rome; her husband's casketed body awaits at the airport. She meets a chatty NJ gal who's just left her boyfriend and has nowhere to go. They spend the night at Screamin' Jay's motel, where in the small hours the ghost of Elvis appears to the widow. The two also hear that gunshot.

The final segment is darkest yet most comic of all. The jilted boyfriend of the previous vignette robs a liquor store and accidentally shoots a clerk. He and two buddies tie one on, then seek refuge at the workplace of one of their cousins, yes, the same motel. The bellhop cousin gives them a wrecked room. Later, one is shot in the leg, which leads to a car chase finale where principals of the earlier segments pass by on a train.

For those unfamiliar with his work, Jim Jarmusch's pacing and sense of place and detail can be daunting. MYSTERY TRAIN offers a most approachable way to experience his unique cinematic style. Highly recommended!

Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 imdb viewer poll rating.

(7.3) Mystery Train (1989) Screamin' Jay Hawkins/Cinqué Lee/Masatoshi Nagase/Youki Kudoh/Nicoletta Braschi/Elizabeth Bracco/Tom Noonan/Joe Strummer/Rick Aviles/Steve Buscemi/Rufus Thomas/Tom Waits (voice)

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This is an exception. I bought it on VHS, then DVD, and now the Blu-Ray special release. Oh yeah, and the soundtrack on CD.

I am not a film or music critic, so I won't try to shoot for lofty, heady adjectives. Suffice to say that this film is so rich in nuance that it must be watched over and over...the masses won't get it, but anyone who landed at this review must be interested in the film and will probably enjoy it.

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