Bagdad Cafe (1987)
-
88% of critics liked it
(17 reviews) -
87% of users liked it
(7,156 ratings)
This West German film is set in the California Desert. A husband-and-wife pair of Bavarian tourists become stranded when their car breaks down; after a quarrel, the wife, Marianne Sagebrecht, gathers her luggage and stalks off. She stops at the Bagdad Cafe, a fleapit truckstop run by outspoken… More This West German film is set in the California Desert. A husband-and-wife pair of Bavarian tourists become stranded when their car breaks down; after a quarrel, the wife, Marianne Sagebrecht, gathers her luggage and stalks off. She stops at the Bagdad Cafe, a fleapit truckstop run by outspoken C.C.H. Pounder, who is also having husband problems. The Cafe has become a magnet for some of truly odd character: temperamental Hispanic cook George Aguilar, tattoo artist Christine Kaufmann, and onetime Hollywood set designer Jack Palance. Despite obvious personality differences, Sagebrecht and Pounder become friends. Bagdad Cafe was later adapted into a short-lived American sitcom starring Jean Stapleton and Whoopi Goldberg. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Percy Adlon
- Written By
- Eleonore Adlon, Percy Adlon
- Genres
- Drama, Art House & International, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Apr 29, 1988 Wide
- On DVD
- Jul 24, 2001
- Studio
- Virgin Vision
Critic Reviews
-
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Unfortunately, the film's curious conceits remain implausible even on a fantasy level, and most of the satirical possibilities are either sidestepped or fumbled.
-
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Just as the main character slowly grows on people in the film, it can draw in reluctant viewers.
-
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Percy Adlon's first English-speaking film is a charming fable about the friendhsip between two vastly different women.
-
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
This 20-year-old film reminds us of a time before independent movies became the formulaic fare they often are these days.
-
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
An exotic celebration of the beauty of human personality and friendship.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Marianne Sägebrecht
as Jasmin Munchgstettner
-
CCH Pounder
as Brenda
-
Jack Palance
as Rudi Cox
-
Christine Kaufmann
as Debbie
-
Monica Calhoun
as Phyllis
-
Darron Flagg
as Sal Junior
-
George Aguilar
as Cahuenga
-
G. Smokey Campbell
as Sal
-
Hans Stadlbauer
as Munchgstettner
-
Apesanahkwat
as Sheriff Arnie
-
Alan S. Craig
as Eric
-
Baby Ashley
as Herself
-
Mark Daneri
as Trucker Mark
-
Ronald Lee Jarvis
as Trucker Ron
-
Gary Lee Davis
as Trucker Gary
-
Ray Young
as Trucker Ray
