The first colour film by the cult American director, Jim Jarmusch, composed of three tales featuring out-of-place foreigners who all end up in a seedy Memphis hotel on the same night. Certain details reappear, linking the three tales: a gunshot, a DJ's patter (the voice of Tom Waits) on the radio, the night clerk and bellhop at the hotel (played by veteran R&B singer Screamin' Jay Hawkins and Spike Lee's brother Cinque) who keep up a deadpan double act. The three sets of protagonists never meet and nothing much happens, which may frustrate viewers used to more mainstream American films. Fans of Jarmusch's offbeat style of filmmaking, however, will relish his familiar trademarks, all present here - long takes, lots of lateral tracking shots, elliptical dialogue, and full of quirky details, like the plum the Japanese girl gives as a tip to the hotel bellhop. Newcomers to Jarmusch may find 'Mystery Train' maddening but given half a chance it is oddly rewarding.


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