Parents' Guide to

Blue Iguana

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Crime comedy is noisy, vulgar, confusing, and violent.

Movie NR 2018 100 minutes
Blue Iguana Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

In BLUE IGUANA, ex-cons Eddie (Sam Rockwell) and Paul (Ben Schwartz) are on parole and working at a sleazy diner in Brooklyn. In walks Katherine Rookwood (Phoebe Fox), a nerdy, stress-eating woman with a job offer. She wants them to collect a package in London; they'll be paid if no one gets hurt. Unfortunately, there is a casualty, and the plan gets more complex, leading up to an effort to steal a valuable diamond called the Blue Iguana. A nasty crime boss (Peter Polycarpou) and a mulleted tough guy (Peter Ferdinando) also enter the picture. Can Eddie survive the job long enough to realize his crush on Katherine?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1):

Yet another in a long series of tenth-rate Tarantino knockoffs, this wretched crime comedy is confusing, ugly, and noisy. And despite Rockwell's welcome presence, it doesn't have any worthwhile characters. Written and directed by Hadi Hajaig, Blue Iguana starts instantly with fast-paced chatter that has no rhythm. It simply bulldozes through scenes, the camera roving almost randomly, as characters pick on each other and swear at each other. Rockwell's Eddie has no character development, except to be like the chivalrous comic book characters he reads. More often than not, twittery music blares on the soundtrack, drowning out half of whatever dialogue might be worth listening to.

Because of this, the plot also quickly gets lost, and it's unclear what's actually happening or why. However, thanks to the horrifying makeup and costuming, it is fairly easy to tell the bad guys from the good guys: The bad guys' hair and clothing is far worse than the good guys' (though that isn't saying much). With all the jokes about toilet paper and smelly warehouse hideouts, you'd almost assume that Hajaig actually wants us to think his movie is a stink bomb.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Blue Iguana's violence. What effect does it have? Is it supposed to be shocking or funny? How does the movie achieve this effect?

  • How does the movie use its sexual content? Is it responsible? Is it funny? What's the difference?

  • What's the appeal of movies about criminals? What makes them intriguing?

  • How is drinking portrayed? Do people seem to enjoy drinking? Is it glamorized? Are there consequences? Why is that important?

Movie Details

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