Dancing at the Blue Iguana (2000)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Michael Radford

Writers:

Michael Radford (screenplay) and
David Linter (screenplay)

Release Date:

11 October 2001 (Israel)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery

Tagline:

five souls exposed

Plot:

A non-glamorous portrayal of the lives of people who make their living at a strip club.

Plot Keywords:

Strip Club | Poetry | Backstage | Hitman | Russian

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Charlotte Ayanna	...	Jessie
Kristin Bauer	...	Nico
W. Earl Brown	...	Bobby
Daryl Hannah	...	Angel
Chris Hogan	...	Dennis
Sheila Kelley	...	Stormy
Elias Koteas	...	Sully
Vladimir Mashkov	...	Sacha
Sandra Oh	...	Jasmine
Rodney Rowland	...	Charlie
Jennifer Tilly	...	Jo
Robert Wisdom	...	Eddie
David Amos	...	Dave
Carolyne Aycaguer	...	Sophie
R.C. Bates	...	Jimmy (as RC Bates)

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive sexual content/nudity, language, some drug content and brief violence.

Runtime:

123 min | Argentina:126 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Russian

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Germany:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Canada:18A | USA:TV-MA (cable rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA (cable rating) | Australia:R (original rating) | France:U | Singapore:R21 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | UK:18 | USA:R | Finland:K-15 | Canada:A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Moonstone Entertainment

Trivia:

'Sheila Kelley' originally conceived the idea for this film. It was supposed to be a story about incest between her character and the character played by Elias Koteas. Once the other actresses started improvising, it became more of an ensemble piece.

Goofs:

Continuity: Jessie uses her real name as her stage name at the Blue Iguana, something which is forbidden by managers for safety reasons. Even halfway through the film, Stormy is told off by Dave for having mail sent to Marie Hughes, which is her real name.

Quotes:

Angel: I did not inhale.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Strip Notes (2001) (V)

Soundtrack:

Hours Before Light

A film worth seeing for its process even more than its content

This film was produced through an improv workshop technique. And, since each actor created their own character and contributed to the plot, the results show. The energy of this film crackles off the screen. Since each actor knows their character's history better than anyone else it is impossible for someone to misplay their role. The feeling from this film is incredible and I strongly recommend everyone to see it if only to encourage more films of this type being made.

The story, it should also be noted, is very good. It's one of the best ensemble pieces I have seen in 2000.