Bagdad Cafe: A Sprinkle of Magic in the Desert Dust?

Okay, so I finally watched Bagdad Cafe (1987) after hearing about it for ages, and I have thoughts. First off, the whole vibe? Impeccable. That dusty, run-down motel feels so incredibly real. But it's the performances that really stuck with me. Marianne Sägebrecht as Jasmin is just...magnetic. She's so outwardly awkward and unassuming, but there's this quiet strength and confidence radiating from her. I especially loved the scene where she starts cleaning the place – it's so simple, but it's like she's breathing life back into it, y'know? And the way she connects with the other characters, especially Brenda (C.C.H. Pounder)... chefs kiss. Brenda's initial suspicion and frustration are totally believable. Pounder plays that weariness so well. The fight scene with her husband at the start felt very 'kitchen sink' drama, but it grounded the film in a way that made Jasmin's arrival feel almost surreal. The slow burn of their friendship? That's the good stuff. Really appreciated that the romance in the air was subtle, more about genuine connection than anything else. I gotta say, the pacing felt a little slow in parts, especially in the middle. I almost clicked off once or twice but something kept making me want to stick with it. Did not expect the magic show element, but honestly, it worked? It's like the whole film has this weird, dreamlike quality, like you're watching something just slightly removed from reality. Overall, I really enjoyed it. It's not exactly a cinematic masterpiece or anything, but it's a sweet, quirky, and ultimately uplifting story about finding connection in the most unexpected places. Definitely worth a watch if you're looking for something a little different. I wonder, has anyone seen other films by the same director? Wonder what else they've done.