Dancing at the Blue Iguana (2000)

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

Director:

Michael Radford

Writers:

Michael Radford (screenplay), David Linter (screenplay)

Stars:

Charlotte Ayanna, Kristin Bauer van Straten, W. Earl Brown

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charlotte Ayanna	...	Jessie
Kristin Bauer van Straten	...	Nico (as Kristin Bauer)
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)

Storyline

Angel is a dancer wishing to adopt a child. Stormy is a dancer with a secret with her brother Sully. Jasmine is a poetess who fells in love with Dennis. Jo is a dancer who became pregnant and Jessie is a woman fighting to survive in Hollywood. The link between them is the fact that they dance at Blue Iguana, a strip-club managed by Eddie. Their personal dramas are the theme of this movie.

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Plot Keywords:

strip club | hitman | backstage | poetry | russian | 

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Taglines:

from the director of Il Postino

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

11 October 2001 (Israel)

Also Known As:

A Kék Iguána bár

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$30,181 (USA) (19 October 2001)

Gross:

$30,181 (USA) (19 October 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Moonstone Entertainment, Bergman Lustig Productions, Dragon Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

123 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Several of the poems used in the film were written by cast members ("I Was Driving on the 403" by Ellyn Maybe; "Gone" by Chris Hogan), and Jasmine's poem, "It's Only Love" was written by director, Michael Radford.

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Goofs

They say that the guitar they buy from the music store a Gibson Les Paul, but it isn't.

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Quotes

Jo: You think you'r the only person with reproductive organs. I'm gonna have this fucking baby. I'm gonna have this baby and my baby is gonna sell drugs to your baby on the playground. Do you know that. You fucking bitch.

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Connections

References The Munsters (1964)

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Soundtracks

"Porcelain"
Written by Moby (as Richard Hall)
Performed by Moby
Published by Little Idiot Music & Warner Tamerlane Music (BMI)
Courtesy of V2 Records Inc./Mute Records Ltd.

User Reviews

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.