Review of The Night of the Iguana (1964) by Kevin R — 15 Nov 2014

Just leave her alone, don't make me take steps.

A drunk clergy man with a checkered past has lived in Mexico for over two years providing services as a tourist guide to travelers and preaching the gospel to the best of his ability. He has a complex relationship with a girl who sells soda pop. A female on the tour talks to the clergyman and helps him see things differently. Will the clergyman get off the mat or continue to live in his sorrows?

"If I was drinking, I wouldn't be here...I'd still be drinking.".

John Huston, director of The Maltese Falcon, The Treasure of Sierra Madre, The African Queen, The Man Who Would be King, Annie (1982), The Asphalt Jungle, Key Largo, and Moulin Rouge (1952), delivers The Night of the Iguana. The storyline for this picture is interesting and I adored the evolution of the main character and his interactions between characters. The acting is outstanding and the cast includes Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, Sue Lyon, Grayson Hall, and Deborah Kerr.

"How many times have you been around the world?".

"Almost as many times as the world has been around the sun.".

I am a huge fan of John Huston's work and try to DVR his pictures as they come on Turner Classic Movies (TCM). This was far from my favorite film of Huston's, and it reminded me of Heaven Knows, Mr. Alison. Overall, this is very well done and a great character piece. I recommend seeing this if you're a fan of the classics!

"I'll get you back up, baby. I'll always get you back up.".

Grade: B.