Dancing at the Blue Iguana

Dancing at the Blue Iguana
theatrical release poster
Directed by	Michael Radford
Produced by	Damian Jones Ram Bergman
Written by	Michael Radford David Linter
Starring	Charlotte Ayanna Daryl Hannah Sheila Kelley Elias Koteas Vladimir Mashkov Sandra Oh Jennifer Tilly Robert Wisdom
Music by	Tal Bergman Renato Neto
Cinematography	Ericson Core
Edited by	Roberto Perpignani
Distributed by	Lions Gate Entertainment
Release date	September 14, 2000 (US)
Running time	123 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Dancing at the Blue Iguana is an American drama film, released in 2000, directed by Michael Radford about the lives of strippers in an adult club. The film was based on an improvisational workshop involving the lead actors. It explores the intersecting lives of five exotic dancers who work at a San Fernando Valley strip club, the Blue Iguana, and the difficulties in their lives.

Angel (Daryl Hannah) wishes for a baby of her own or a foster child to take care of, but her messy, dysfunctional existence makes this an impossible dream. Jo (Jennifer Tilly) is pregnant, wants an abortion, and can barely contain her rage at the world. Jasmine (Sandra Oh) writes beautiful poetry on the side and finally finds a boyfriend. She tells him she's a stripper, but he maintains that he is all right with it. However, once he sees her dance at the club, he disapproves silently and leaves.

Jesse (Charlotte Ayanna), the youngest and newest stripper looks for acceptance and love among the strippers and customers, but is eventually beaten by her boyfriend, leading her to drink and depression. Stormy (Sheila Kelley) is having an incestuous relationship with her brother.

In 2001, actress Daryl Hannah released a one-hour companion documentary, Strip Notes, based on her experience researching her role as a stripper in the film, which is included as an extra on the Dancing at the Blue Iguana DVD. Hannah stars along with Charlotte Ayanna, Elias Koteas, Jennifer Tilly, and Sandra Oh.