The Ballad of the Sad Cafe

  • 1991
  • PG-13
  • 101m
movieMx RATING
5.5/1013
VERDICT
ABOVE AVERAGE
Advertisement

Performance & Direction: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe Review

Last updated: February 7, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: February 7, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Ballad of the Sad Cafe (1991) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Ballad of the Sad Cafe features a noteworthy lineup led by Vanessa Redgrave . Supported by the likes of Keith Carradine and Cork Hubbert , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Ballad of the Sad Cafe (1991) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.5/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Result: ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Ballad of the Sad Cafe stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE.

Story & Plot Summary: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe

Quick Plot Summary: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe is a Drama, Romance, Comedy, Mystery film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe

Ending Breakdown: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.

The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Ballad of the Sad Cafe reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Ballad of the Sad Cafe?

Consider Watching If:

  • You're a completist for Drama films
  • You're curious despite mixed reviews
  • You have low expectations and want casual entertainment

Box Office Collection: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Worldwide Gross $184.9K
Trade Verdict FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT
Advertisement

Top Cast: The Ballad of the Sad Cafe

All Cast & Crew →
Vanessa Redgrave
Vanessa RedgraveMiss Amelia
Keith Carradine
Keith CarradineMarvin Macy
Cork Hubbert
Cork HubbertCousin Lymon
Rod Steiger
Rod SteigerRev. Willin
Austin Pendleton
Austin PendletonLawyer Taylor
Beth Dixon
Beth DixonMary Hale
Lanny Flaherty
Lanny FlahertyMerlie Ryan
Mert Hatfield
Mert HatfieldStumpy McPhail
Earl Hindman
Earl HindmanHenry Macy
Anne Pitoniak
Anne PitoniakMrs. McPhail
Lauri Raymond
Lauri RaymondSadie Ricketts
Advertisement

Where to Watch The Ballad of the Sad Cafe Online?

Streaming Hub

📺 Stream on

Cohen Media Amazon ChannelCohen Media Amazon Channel

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

The Ballad of the Sad Cafe Parents Guide & Age Rating

1991 Advisory
PG-13

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Ballad of the Sad Cafe age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Ballad of the Sad Cafe is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Ballad of the Sad Cafe is 101 minutes (1h 41m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.5/10, and global performance metrics, The Ballad of the Sad Cafe is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1991 cinematic calendar.

ABOVE AVERAGE
Official movieMx status for The Ballad of the Sad Cafe. Rating: 5.5/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Ballad of the Sad Cafe worth watching?

The Ballad of the Sad Cafe is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 5.5/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Ballad of the Sad Cafe parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Ballad of the Sad Cafe identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Ballad of the Sad Cafe?

The total duration of The Ballad of the Sad Cafe is 101 minutes, which is approximately 1h 41m long.

Best Movies to Watch if you liked The Ballad of the Sad Cafe

How The Ballad of the Sad Cafe Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Ballad of the Sad Cafe

No reviews found for this filter.

🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

Advertisement
Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 5.5
The Ballad of the Sad Cafe
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-ballad-of-the-sad-cafe-135473" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 5.5</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Ballad of the Sad Cafe</div></div></a>

Share this rating on your blog or website. Includes a 100% organic backlink.

More with Vanessa Redgrave

View full filmography