Dancing at the Blue Iguana

2000 Drama

The personal lives of five exotic dancers go under the microscope in this drama, the first American feature from director Michael Radford. Eddie (Robert Wisdom) is the manager of a strip club in suburban California known as the Blue Iguana, where he keeps an eye on the women who make their living dancing for his customers. Stormy (Sheila Kelley) is an attractive, thick-skinned woman who is getting old enough to realize her days as a dancer may be numbered. Jo (Jennifer Tilly) likes to think of herself as the Blue Iguana's star attraction, though her career may hit a detour now that she's learned she's pregnant. Angel (Daryl Hannah) is a sweet, but immature woman, who tries to deal with her fear of being unloved by adopting a child. Jasmine (Sandra Oh), an aspiring poet, tries not to get settled into a career as a stripper, while being encouraged in her writing by coffeehouse owner Dennis (Chris Hogan), who features spoken word performers. And Jesse (Charlotte Ayanna), the youngest of the performers, expresses her desperate need for approval in her desire to please the customers. Dancing at the Blue Iguana received its world premiere at the 2000 Toronto Film Festival. more..

Director: Michael Radford

Starring: Daryl Hannah, Sheila Kelley, Charlotte Ayanna, Elias Koteas, Vladimir Mashkov

Reviews

  • A well-crafted film, and it must be said that its actresses, in being prepared to come close to baring all for art, reveal stunning figures and perform scorching routines.

    Kevin Thomas - Los Angeles Times

    19 January 2013

  • An ensemble piece developed from an improvisational workshop, the movie exudes a haunted melancholy that recalls such early Alan Rudolph films as "Choose Me" and "Welcome to L.A," and it includes several flashy performances.

    Stephen Holden - The New York Times

    19 January 2013

  • Contains striking moments, but never coheres.

    Maitland McDonagh - TV Guide

    19 January 2013

  • An exercise in improv-derived filmmaking that simply proves once again that there's no substitute for a good script.

    Todd McCarthy - Variety

    19 January 2013

  • You'd be better off renting Demi Moore's "Striptease."

    Lou Lumenick - New York Post

    19 January 2013

Awards

  • Golden Trailer Awards (2002)

     
  • Sandra Oh

    Milan International Film Festival (I) (2001)