 Entertainment Weekly reviewer Ira Robbins gave the film a B + rating , complimenting it as " conceptually ambitious " and concluding that its " offbeat characters , fine cinematography , and novel structure make for entertaining viewing " . Robert Fulford of The National Post hailed it as " eccentric and deliriously funny " , while Rolling Stone 's Phil Whitman remarked that the director 's " bracing , original comedy may be mostly smoke and air , but it 's not insubstantial " . In The New York Times , Vincent Canby called it " thoroughly fascinating , a delight " and the director 's best effort to date , drawing note to its retention of the " same kind of dour , discordant charm " exhibited by Stranger Than Paradise . He praised Jarmusch 's development as a screenwriter – citing the restrained dialogue , humor and subtlety of the narrative and the careful construction of the plot – and the performances he elicited from the ensemble cast . John Hartl , in The Seattle Times , also drew a comparison with Stranger Than Paradise , judging Mystery Train to be the more accessible work while retaining the dry wit of its predecessor . 
