Easy to Love (1953)
8/10
"Fun, nothing but fun"
6 December 2016
That line was first said by Van Johnson to Esther Williams near the start of film when he invites her to go to NY with him. Cut to scene at NY photography session where, after one of many photo shoots, Esther repeats "fun, nothing but fun" sarcastically to Van since his promise to make their trip to NY fun turned out to be more work. Next line, also funny: Van: "most girls would cut off their arm to be in your position". Esther: " this girl would like to cut your throat." I love how Esther loathes Van for never letting her have any time on her own terms. I mean, I would love to have a job where I get to waterski, pose for pictures, and swim in idyllically beautiful waters surrounded by flowers and beautiful music. But I can also understand Esther's feelings about not having any time on her own terms, and Van is smarmy and controlling here.

Then Esther meets Tony Martin. They fall head over heels in love during the photo session, then Esther watches Tony sing at a club with several beautiful girls that also work with him, "Didja ever", a cute, catchy song. Tony later (againced Van's will because he wants her to rest up for the grapefruit contest the next day, lol) takes Esther out drinking and dancing all night. She is totally in love with him now. He hooks her up with a swimming audition the next morning and a job offer working with him. I'd love to know the name of that piano piece playing during her audition swimming, it was beautiful. The song and Esther. I also like a number of different funny, quirky comments made throughout the film such as: Esther saying " 10:30 darling" by accident to the elevator operator cause Tony just told her "10:30 darling" about their next meet up, Esther talking to bubbles in glass of champagne after ditching Van to be with Tony " feels good to be free, doesn't it?", then she loathfully repeats Van's "fun, nothing but fun." Then Van asks Esther where she was all night, Esther tells him the truth about being with Tony. Van says "come on now, tell me the truth". Esther sarcastically says "I went swimming in Central Park, they threw pennies at me and I threw grapefruit at them". I loved that last one. Van kept trying to get her to that grapefruit convention that she was so unenthused about going to. Esther also has had relations with Hank, who Esther does a water ballet with surrounded by lots of flowers. I loved that piece of music played during that sequence. Also Tony's "lookout, I'm romantic", " little croquette" (with his beautiful girls again. Listen to the style of the music there, you can hear how the music style is slowly transitioning over from 30s and 40s swing style over to more almost 60s style almost like you'd hear on "Bewitched")."That's what a rainy day is for" (Tony dancing with a group of senior citizens) is also nice. Then we get the fabulous water ski sequence with Esther and many other water skiers played to a great tune and is visually fascinating. This is one of a number of wonderful esther water ballets. My other favorites are in "Bathing beauty", " This time for keeps", and "Million dollar mermaid". I'm not gonna add any spoilers here, because my reason for subtracting a couple points, I wouldn't be able to tell you why without a spoiler.
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