The Night of the Iguana (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
'The Night of the Iguana' (filmed in Mexico, adapted from a Tennessee Williams play, & directed by John Huston) stars Richard Burton as Episcopal Rev. Shannon, an alcoholic minister, who has a nervous breakdown after being ostracized by his congregation for having an inappropriate relationship with a young teacher. 2 years go by, and we see that he now scratches out a living in Mexico as a lowly tour guide. His latest customers are several American Baptist schoolteachers, & he guides their rundown bus to a rundown hotel on the coast owned by free-spirited widow, Maxine Faulk (Ava Gardner); who uses her cabana boys as sexual companions. Attempting to have a 'go' with one of the teachers, 17 yr. old Charlotte Goodall (Sue Lyon), Rev. Shannon is caught in the act by the group's 'den mother'.
This bitter woman is Judith Fellowes (Grayson Hall), who also happens to be Charlotte's aunt; and she threatens to have Shannon fired. While he & Maxine connive to keep Judith from calling his boss ... beautiful, eccentric, yet chaste artist Hanna Jelkes (Deborah Kerr) arrives at the hotel with her ailing, elderly poet grandfather (Cyril Delevanti). Over one long night, Rev. Shannon battles his weaknesses for both women & alcohol. Charlotte makes advances on Shannon. He falls ill & comes to "the end of his rope" - much like the iguana that is kept tied-up by Maxine's cabana boys. Perversions & demons haunt the main characters. And the rest of the movie chronicles the many (and varied) sexual tensions among the besotted Rev. Shannon, promiscuous Charlotte, the earthy Maxine, & the repressed Hanna.
The film ends on a rather ambiguous note. The main characters' dramatic conflicts come to a head and then dissipate; many of them departing unscathed. Tennessee Williams' themes on love, lust, homosexuality, & alcoholism define this movie; and he uses iguanas as symbols of the humans that are captured/repressed/tormented (consciously & unconsciously) by fate or their own doing. This is a good film. I got a kick out of watching these actors do their thing. Richard Burton delivers as he always does; with thespian quality. Ava Gardner's sweet, yet lustful turn as the flamboyant innkeeper is great to see. This quote of hers sums her up: "Even I know the difference btwn. lovin' somebody & just goin' to bed with him". Grayson Hall is stellar as the repressed lesbian guardian of young Charlotte. And Deborah Kerr is always a pleasure to observe on film. I also enjoyed the black-&-white cinematography & tropical locale. This movie sets a mood; I like that.
'Night of the Iguana' is definitely worth a look for the performances & the unique setting. These characters are varying levels of helpless & hopeless, so nothing of any real significance occurs. And yet, I like the ambiguous ending. One final note: this movie drew considerable attention & international gossip during its filming when Richard Burton brought his new girlfriend, Elizabeth Taylor (!) to the location set. Apparently, she wanted to be around in case any funny business would happen btwn. Dick & Ava Gardner. Furthermore, a song was even written about the event with lyrics as follows, "They were down there to film 'The Night of the Iguana' with a star-studded cast & a technical crew. They did things at night midst the flora & fauna that no self-respecting iguana would do". Haha, love it.
This bitter woman is Judith Fellowes (Grayson Hall), who also happens to be Charlotte's aunt; and she threatens to have Shannon fired. While he & Maxine connive to keep Judith from calling his boss ... beautiful, eccentric, yet chaste artist Hanna Jelkes (Deborah Kerr) arrives at the hotel with her ailing, elderly poet grandfather (Cyril Delevanti). Over one long night, Rev. Shannon battles his weaknesses for both women & alcohol. Charlotte makes advances on Shannon. He falls ill & comes to "the end of his rope" - much like the iguana that is kept tied-up by Maxine's cabana boys. Perversions & demons haunt the main characters. And the rest of the movie chronicles the many (and varied) sexual tensions among the besotted Rev. Shannon, promiscuous Charlotte, the earthy Maxine, & the repressed Hanna.
The film ends on a rather ambiguous note. The main characters' dramatic conflicts come to a head and then dissipate; many of them departing unscathed. Tennessee Williams' themes on love, lust, homosexuality, & alcoholism define this movie; and he uses iguanas as symbols of the humans that are captured/repressed/tormented (consciously & unconsciously) by fate or their own doing. This is a good film. I got a kick out of watching these actors do their thing. Richard Burton delivers as he always does; with thespian quality. Ava Gardner's sweet, yet lustful turn as the flamboyant innkeeper is great to see. This quote of hers sums her up: "Even I know the difference btwn. lovin' somebody & just goin' to bed with him". Grayson Hall is stellar as the repressed lesbian guardian of young Charlotte. And Deborah Kerr is always a pleasure to observe on film. I also enjoyed the black-&-white cinematography & tropical locale. This movie sets a mood; I like that.
'Night of the Iguana' is definitely worth a look for the performances & the unique setting. These characters are varying levels of helpless & hopeless, so nothing of any real significance occurs. And yet, I like the ambiguous ending. One final note: this movie drew considerable attention & international gossip during its filming when Richard Burton brought his new girlfriend, Elizabeth Taylor (!) to the location set. Apparently, she wanted to be around in case any funny business would happen btwn. Dick & Ava Gardner. Furthermore, a song was even written about the event with lyrics as follows, "They were down there to film 'The Night of the Iguana' with a star-studded cast & a technical crew. They did things at night midst the flora & fauna that no self-respecting iguana would do". Haha, love it.