Good concept, poorly executed.

Admirable film.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Some great talent in 'On an Island With You', and while there are many pleasures one just can't shake off the feeling that it could have been much better.The main attractions of 'On an Island With You' (Technicolor, Esther Williams and her water ballet, songs, Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse) don't disappoint, while the elements where there was a great uncertainty as to whether they would work (story, Peter Lawford, chemistry between him and Williams) don't work.Williams is captivating, she handles the comedy with robustness, has a fetching sensuality that makes one unable to take their eyes off her and she is as ever a superb swimming athlete. Ricardo Montalban is handsome, suave and charming, Cyd Charisse shows off incredible dancing (unsurprising, she was one of the greatest dancers in classic film) and Jimmy Durante's comic timing sparkles.In terms of memorable scenes, the standouts are Williams' "aqua spectacular" water ballet, Montalban and Charisse's smoking hot dance number and Charisse's routine on the staircase. As to be expected, 'On an Island With You' looks fabulous, beautifully photographed and designed and the Technicolor is bold, rich and exquisitely colourful. The songs are pleasant and have an infectious energy, even if they are not quite classics. Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra make a strong contribution. Richard Thorpe directs competently, and energy and charm comes through enough.However, the story is barely there and what there is is contrived and credibility is constantly strained to breaking point. There are some nice moments in the script, like with Durante, Montalban and Charisse but too many places elsewhere fall as flat as a pancake, Lawford's dialogue can be cringe-worthy sometimes here.Lawford is 'On an Island With You's' biggest problem. He looks incredibly out of place, looking hopelessly wooden and miserable, with a lot of his non-existent chemistry with Williams bringing an unintentional creepiness, that would be more at home in another (darker) film entirely and he would even most likely be just as bad then.Overall, 60% of 'On an Island With You' delights but anybody expecting to be thrilled by the romance will not just be deeply disappointed but also disturbed. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Colorful, breezy musical comedy. If it appeals to the sexist in males, it was meant too. Having Esther Williams strut around in a sarong was clearly meant to bring men in to a movie they would ordinarily avoid like the plague. But Williams showing off her great legs with suggestive costumes no doubt had the desired effect. And those out there trying to judge 1940's morality with the viewpoint of the 2016 PC police are just narrow-minded. There are great over the top swimming montages; and great musical numbers from Xavier Cugat; plus Jimmy Durante for Jimmy Duante fans. Williams (Rosalind Rennolds) is set to marry Ricardo Montalban (Ricardo Montez); but Peter Lawford has a crush on Williams and because he flies off with her he if facing a possible court- martial offense, but is rescued by Williams who defends his actions. Montalban is incensed as he has forbidden his fiancée to have anything to do with the Lawford character. What he doesn't realize is that his dancing partner, Cyd Charisse (Yvonne Torro) is in love with him. Watching Charisse dance with Montalban is painful to watch. Charisse was usually paired with Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly and must have found working with Montalban like dancing with an elephant. This is still 1940's Hollywood so things work out. The Navy forgives Lawford, and he and Williams swim off together hopefully happy forever after. And Montalban realizes his true match is Charisse.And some might recognize Dick Simmons (George Blaine) in a role he was much more known for, at least by me when I was nine, Sergeant Preston of the Yukon.

A pretty swimmer does not a thespian make! This Esther Williams vehicle is seriously dragged down by weak acting and annoying characters. Peter Lawford was a wonderful talent. Guess he really needed a paycheck back in 1948. And maybe the country needed something like this to raise its spirits after the war...I'd never suffered through a movie with Jimmy Durante before. Aged 55 here but looking and behaving far more crochety, his tedious antics get old really fast.Even Cyd Charisse isn't used to advantage here. A skilled dancer, her amazing legs are hidden under sarongs in this misguided production!This film has a few good lines about love. Its happy ending may give unrequited lovers a little hope. But is it worth a couple hours of anyone's life? Probably not.

While Esther Williams never claimed to be a great actress she did well in most of her films. If she had a solid script and good costars her films were usually fun. Unfortunately in this film the script is so weak as to be laughable and Peter Lawford just did not fit the part of the wannabe Romeo. There is no chemistry between them and they just seem to be walking through their parts. Cyd Charisse, as noted by others, is the standout in her dance sequences and Ricardo Montalban is worth watching as well. The usually wonderful Jimmy Durante just rehashes some of his old routines and, while good, is not outstanding. As a final touch even the obligatory water ballet is lackluster. Of all her films this, in my opinion, is the one to miss.