Review of Dancing at the Blue Iguana (2001) by Jonathan B — 10 Nov 2010

A painful study of the lives of a group of pole dancers who work at a sleazy strip club in California. We see their hopes and dreams and shattered lives laid bare in what is essentially a female buddy movie. All of the characters are flawed in some way, whether it is Daryl Hannah's cringing neediness, Jennifer Tilly's rage or Sandra Oh's inability to take a chance when she is offered a way out. The characterisations are warm and 3 dimensional and the threads of the story are neatly woven together. There are some moments of brilliant tragicomedy such as when Jennifer Tilly's dominatrix character Jo is confronted by an expectant mother at an abortion clinic as well as moving and heartbreaking scenes like when Jasmine, Oh's character, realises she has probably let the man she loves and the life she wants slip through her fingers.

It is remarkable that the story, script and plotlines were all pretty much improvised by the actors themselves and it is a testament to the calibre of the cast that they carry this off so perfectly. Daryl Hannah, in pre-Kill Bill days is unbelievably convincing as the utterly pathetic stoner, Angel but I feel it is Sandra Oh who steals this movie. She has a lightness of touch and ability to convey real emotion that is impossible not to admire.

I really don't understand why this movie isn't better known as every time I watch it, I am reminded just how good it really is. Perhaps the reason is that it doesn't glamourise the scene and is ultimately a rather sad comment on the American dream and the permissive society.