Gigi, 1958
Ah its Valentine's Day today and what better way to celebrate it with a lovely review of a romance. A little old school Hollywood romances are always good because really they don’t quite do it like that any more.
Gigi is a little known movie for people who are not movie crazed but not unlike it's other more famous counterparts such as Breakfast at Tiffany's and Casablanca (just to name a few). Like many in it's time Gigi was a musical. A romantic comedy of the 50's possibly. The film centres on early 1900's Paris with a wealth playboy Gaston. Being Paris and being French Gaston is a rather charming and romancing socialite. Gaston much like his uncle is not in search for love. Being the "Paris Hilton" of the time Gaston's adventures are reported daily to the local Parisians. But of course the story isn't just about Gaston and his womanising ways; it is after all named Gigi. Gigi is a poor daughter of an unsuccessful opera singer who is more concerned with her dying career than raising her daughter. Gigi's main carer is her grandmother. Gigi is young and child-like in her essence thus seemingly innocent and playful. Gaston an old friend of her grandmother is well acquainted with Gigi but unlike his other conquests Gigi for him is more like a little sister whom he spoils with gifts and trinkets. But Gigi's life isn't all that rosy - every Tuesday Gigi is to visit her grandmother’s sister Aunt Alicia.
Here Gigi is to learn the proper behaviour of a lady who wants to charm her way into a wealthy man's heart. Although subtly suggested at the beginning of the film; Gigi is actually about Aunt Alicia and even Gigi's grandmother training young Gigi into being a mistress for such wealthy men like Gaston who aren’t the marrying type. Although the relationship between Gaston and Gigi is at first glance purely Plutonic but a weekend away to the beach of course accompanied by her grandmother Gigi and Gaston's relationship develop further. Of course this not unnoticed by Aunt Alicia thus with her suggestions Gigi is pushed into more training. Gigi grudgingly adhere to their requests but she is never truly successful in her lessons and maintains her childlike behaviour. Whilst Gaston is outraged and angered by the suggestions made from Gigi's grandmother that maybe Gigi and Gastons' relationship isn't as innocent as one might think. For Gaston Gigi is just a child, right? Could he see her as more than a sister?
Gigi is a sweet little thing and I mean the movie as whole not just the character. I wouldn't call it an epic love story but it’s certainly an enjoyable piece. Although its pretty obvious from the beginning that the relationship between Gaston and Gigi would be more than friends despite her being childish. Although Gigi is very much playful and childish but she never looked younger than 17 or 18 thus it wasn't that weird that Gaston who is definitely lookinh like he’s in his 20's. It wasn't like she was 12. Plus it was the 1900 god knows what the age gap between lovers was. But it was suggested that her grandmother was the one keeping her in a state of child-like innocence.
I believe the likability of this film is really due to the characters, Gigi and Gaston was rather charming little couple. The character of Gigi wasn't like the classic melodramatic wishy washy character of the typical female lead. There was a sense of reality with Gigi like she was blunt but sweet. The whole movie made me very reminiscent of My Fair Lady although a much lesser quality version of it. My comparisons really derive from the fact that the leads although different felt very out of place. But of course with My Fair Lady that was basically the central theme while in Gigi it wasn't quite the main plot. And of course the whole ugly duckling turned swan premise is quite evident in Gigi as it is in My Fair Lady. AND of course they are both musicals as well.
Gigi is not as tragic as My Fair Lady and is a lot more cheerful. And true to it's time Gigi was made when movies basically was light hearted and glossy. Thus the serious nature of the fact Gigi is being groomed to be a mistress or courtesan is kind glossed over and not really obvious until later in the film. But what can you say it is a movie released in 1958. Gigi is a delightful and rather pleasant film to watch and a little too glossy but that can be definitely forgiven. Gigi for me gets a deserving 7.60/10.
Gigi is a sweet little thing and I mean the movie as whole not just the character. I wouldn't call it an epic love story but it’s certainly an enjoyable piece. Although its pretty obvious from the beginning that the relationship between Gaston and Gigi would be more than friends despite her being childish. Although Gigi is very much playful and childish but she never looked younger than 17 or 18 thus it wasn't that weird that Gaston who is definitely lookinh like he’s in his 20's. It wasn't like she was 12. Plus it was the 1900 god knows what the age gap between lovers was. But it was suggested that her grandmother was the one keeping her in a state of child-like innocence.
I believe the likability of this film is really due to the characters, Gigi and Gaston was rather charming little couple. The character of Gigi wasn't like the classic melodramatic wishy washy character of the typical female lead. There was a sense of reality with Gigi like she was blunt but sweet. The whole movie made me very reminiscent of My Fair Lady although a much lesser quality version of it. My comparisons really derive from the fact that the leads although different felt very out of place. But of course with My Fair Lady that was basically the central theme while in Gigi it wasn't quite the main plot. And of course the whole ugly duckling turned swan premise is quite evident in Gigi as it is in My Fair Lady. AND of course they are both musicals as well.
Gigi is not as tragic as My Fair Lady and is a lot more cheerful. And true to it's time Gigi was made when movies basically was light hearted and glossy. Thus the serious nature of the fact Gigi is being groomed to be a mistress or courtesan is kind glossed over and not really obvious until later in the film. But what can you say it is a movie released in 1958. Gigi is a delightful and rather pleasant film to watch and a little too glossy but that can be definitely forgiven. Gigi for me gets a deserving 7.60/10.
