Karry Best movie of this year hands down!

Wordiezett So much average

VeteranLight I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

AnhartLinkin This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

gridoon2018 Although Esther Williams is top-billed, "Fiesta" is really a vehicle for the musical talents of Ricardo Montalban; his dancing duet with a young Cyd Charisse is a definite highlight, but you don't have to sit through the entire film to see it, you can find it on Youtube. There is also some good bullfighting footage (though obviously not involving the main actors, but stand-ins), and an unusual for a Hollywood musical Mexican flavor. But the "plot" is so exceedingly lame (and tiresome) that it buries an interesting theme underneath (tradition & father pressure vs. personal choice & creativity): are we supposed to believe that entire arenas full of people can't tell the difference between Ricardo Montalban and Esther Williams?! Less plot and more music were needed in this case. ** out of 4.

ilbarone139 This early Ricardo Montaban movie shows his early acting/ dramatic talents. We knew he could dance, and dance he did with one of the best Female Dancers every Cyd Charisse. So great Together they did four More dance films. Many of My favorite performers are in this movie; Fortunno Buonanova, Born In Spain a Great Opera Singer whom sang Baritone & Tenor Perfect as the Mexican Padrone former Great Matador whom had to quit early owing to injury.. Basic Plot of movie. Years Later wife Mary Astor, over rated actress,(I guess if you believe She is Mexican not too much stretch that Esther Williams is the Mexican Daughter/Twin of Ricardo's Character. Although they used makeup for Astor to enhance the 'Mexican' look, none is used for Esther & Both speak American, even some slang.A better actress would have been Rita Hayworth, although born in NYC was Mexican and can dance which would enhance the Matador Movements.This would be very unusual for Aristocratic Mexican Family even today.. The Padrone is head Master and everything he says,YOU Do.John Carroll another one of my favorites, although born in Louisianna as Julian LaFaye could effect many accents, none were utilized here, again leaving authenticity back stage. Public likes to see acting and if you are non-ethnic however can act the role it makes for a better movie. I like Akim Tamiroff as Faithful Friend of Don Antonio and he does effect the accent. I believe a better Performer such as J.Carol Naish would enhance the role, as we all know his expertise in languages. AS Lon Chaney Sr was man of 1000 faces, Naish would be man of 1000 accents,(exaggerated). The Costumes are very well done. Sequences in bull ring are above average and obviously done by professional Matadors. A little spoiler alert; When they use Esther to perform in the ring as brother Mario; come on her Bosoms especially in the Short Matador jacket and high waisted belt only further enhanced them. Ricordo always had good Physique, but not Bosoms. Even the bull was excited..THe Piano scenes in wayside tavern by Ricardo are as accurate and obviously show he can perform with piano as well.With all flaws this is a good movie, very entertaining. Imagine if the main actors had been utilized to their expert potential.

preppy-3 Movie designed to introduce Ricardo Montalban to American audiences. It's a drama--NOT a musical. There are a few musical numbers but that's it. This takes place in Mexico and has Montalban and Esther Williams playing twins. No--I'm not kidding! If you can swallow that you might like this. Their father is a great bullfighter and expects his son to be the same. However his son Mario (Mantalban) wants be a musician. His sister Maria (Williams) is better at bullfighting then him. You can probably guess the rest. EXTREME PLOT SPOILER IN THIS PARAGRAPH!!! Pretty forgettable as a drama. The situations are just silly, the dialogue pedestrian and you just KNOW how this is going to end. Also Williams isn't much of a dramatic actress. This film could have ended after an hour but this drags it out and gets REAL stupid during the second act. Williams has to bullfight in place of her brother--but nobody notices the difference! Seriously--everybody thought Williams was her brother???? Even for a 1940s movie that's pushing it.Still it's not completely terrible. It's done with the usual MGM gloss and is shot in bright Technicolor. Montalban, Williams and Cyd Charisse are so young and beautiful and so full of life that it rubs off on the audience. The dance sequences with Montalban and Charisse are just incredible--I never knew he could dance! Williams even has a (brief) swimming scene. There's also some good acting from Akim Taminoff as Chato and Mary Astor as Williams and Montalbans mother. So it's silly but enjoyable as a no brainer. The dancing scenes alone make this worth seeing. I give it a 6.

tomytyler I've viewed this film over and over and my piano training says there's no trick photography in the scenes where Montalban plays Green's adaptation of El Salon Mexico. I'm sure the beat-up old piano is not the actual sound source, but Montalban is hitting all the right keys at the right time! His technique is well above average, and anyone who could even fake that well would have to be able to play well too. Yet there's no mention of musical skill or training in any of his bios, nor does he play in any later films. Can anyone shed some light on this mysterious aspect of the multi-talented Senor Montalban?