AllMovie

Fiesta is not a musical for the ages (in fact, some with justification might even argue that it's not even a musical), but it does have two excellent dance numbers in it that are its highlights. The first, a group flamenco dance, is quite good, but it's the later duet between Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse that deserves special note. Charisse is still early in her career here, and she's clearly still finding her way, not yet in complete control of that special élan that would mark her mature work in the 1950s. But she's fascinating to watch, one of the screen's most exciting and exceptional dancers, using those incredible legs, that matchless torso, that sinuous line to captivate and surprise. Montalban does a very fine job of keeping up with her, using his innate sense of movement to counter her more experience technique, and together they create some beautiful moments. The rest of Fiesta is not so hot. The screenplay is ridiculous and the concept of Montalban and Esther Williams as twins simply doesn't work. Williams, who hardly is in the water at all in this film, turns in a rather dull performance. The use of Copland's "EL Salon Mexico" is a bonus, but too much of Fiesta is tired.