Mystery Train’s mise en scene focuses on the differences in the characters journeys. By adding in recurring themes and objects Jarmusch separates the characters even though they are all in the same place. Throughout the film Elvis is a strong theme in each characters story. For Mitsuko and Jun Elvis is a constant source of debate with Mitsuko idealizing him and even believing there to be an abstract connection between the rock star, Madonna and the Statue of Liberty while Jun argues that Carl Perkins is the true king of rock ‘n roll. In the room where Luisa stays, by chance, with Johnny’s ex-girlfriend, Dee Dee, there is also a picture of Elvis – there is one in every room – which causes Dee Dee to reveal her story of dating someone nicknamed Elvis (Johnny). In the room, Luisa also sees an apparition of Elvis as she overhears Mitsuko and Jun’s love making. However, while these two scenes show Elvis as a welcomed fantasy the third reveals a different view. When Johnny and his friends enter the run-down room in which they stay the night the picture of Elvis is not hanging on the wall as in the other rooms but propped up on the nightstand. Johnny looks at the picture in disdain as he says: “I can’t get rid of that fucking guy.” referring to his nickname, Elvis. …show more content…
The radio on each nightstand changes, once again it is the same in the rooms of Mitsuko and Jun and Luisa and Dee Dee whereas in Johnny’s room the radio is missing, probably stolen, and the chain with which it was attached to the nightstand hangs off of it. The derelict room that Johnny, Will and Charlie are given represents the unfortunate series of events that they have got themselves wrapped up in. They themselves are disheveled and run-down just as the room