Review of The Night of the Iguana (1964) by Rory W — 18 Aug 2007
The film opens with Richard Burton's weak-willed priest throwing the disapproving members of his flock out of his church when they discover his misdemeanors with a young Sunday School teacher. We catch up with him again as he's shepherding a group of horrendous tourist women around Mexico where he is about to repeat the offence only this time with teenage temptress Sue Lyon.
As his dead-end job teeters precariously, he flees to the bar of his friend only to discover that he's passed away, survived only by his hot-tempered widow, played by the awesome Ava Gardner. Add to this mix an ageing poet and his granddaughter and you have the ingredients for yet another exploration of the human condition by Tennessee Williams.
Steamy locations, erudite characters, blisteringly sarcastic dialogue and faultless performances make this one of my all-time faves and one of John Huston's best. See it with Pandora and the Flying Dutchman.
Brilliant.
This review of The Night of the Iguana (1964) was written by Rory W on 18 Aug 2007.
The Night of the Iguana has generally received very positive reviews.
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