Peter Lawford sheds his usual light leading man persona to play a creepy stalker obsessed with a movie star (Esther Williams) engaged to someone else. When she rejects his advances, he kidnaps her and flys her to a remote island. Lawford's performance is chilling. He combines disturbing single-minded intensity with a sort of blank expression (some may mistake this for wooden acting), which perfectly conveys the emotionless lack of conscience typical of a true psychopath. I'm surprised Peter didn't receive an Oscar nod!
Esther Williams also shows surprising depth in her role as a self-absorbed movie star who (in a truly twisted plot twist) becomes attracted to her abductor! An interesting commentary on the deep-seated insecurities and desperate need for attention which motivates many actors and celebrities. Soon Williams is pathetically dependent on her obsessed stalker. You'll have to watch to find out what happens when Lawford becomes distant and spurns *her* advances! Oh, it's a sick relationship. Sick, I tell you!
But what I don't understand is... why is this movie categorized as a romantic comedy/musical? Hmmm. Very strange. How sad that some people can't distinguish between love and unhealthy obsession. Why, I do believe the filmmakers might've been making an ironic statement about that very thing! That's why "On An Island With You" contains so many songs and dances, appearing on the surface to be fluffy feel-good escapist entertainment. Only viewers of superior intellect will detect the unadulterated EVIL hidden behind the happy, wholesome veneer!
"Citizen Kane", "Sunset Boulevard" and the like - your reign at the top of the film critics' lists must come to an end. Make way for "On An Island With You"!
P.S. Believe it or not, I *am* a fan of musicals, and like Peter Lawford well enough. But this movie...well, it's not on my list of desert island picks, let's put it that way. Great dancing by Cyd Charisse though.
Esther Williams also shows surprising depth in her role as a self-absorbed movie star who (in a truly twisted plot twist) becomes attracted to her abductor! An interesting commentary on the deep-seated insecurities and desperate need for attention which motivates many actors and celebrities. Soon Williams is pathetically dependent on her obsessed stalker. You'll have to watch to find out what happens when Lawford becomes distant and spurns *her* advances! Oh, it's a sick relationship. Sick, I tell you!
But what I don't understand is... why is this movie categorized as a romantic comedy/musical? Hmmm. Very strange. How sad that some people can't distinguish between love and unhealthy obsession. Why, I do believe the filmmakers might've been making an ironic statement about that very thing! That's why "On An Island With You" contains so many songs and dances, appearing on the surface to be fluffy feel-good escapist entertainment. Only viewers of superior intellect will detect the unadulterated EVIL hidden behind the happy, wholesome veneer!
"Citizen Kane", "Sunset Boulevard" and the like - your reign at the top of the film critics' lists must come to an end. Make way for "On An Island With You"!
P.S. Believe it or not, I *am* a fan of musicals, and like Peter Lawford well enough. But this movie...well, it's not on my list of desert island picks, let's put it that way. Great dancing by Cyd Charisse though.