After a while, it is a little naive to speculate whether the film “Giji” deserved 9 Oscars. Let us take this as a fact, a slice of that pre-war era. The attitude of men to women at the time is about as expensive toys - played and thrown away. But if this toy is something that stands out among others, its duration can be extended.
Gigi is such an unusual “toy”, a girl who is internally alien to all this bourgeois tinsel. She wants to play in the garden with her peers, play Gaston cards and even drink champagne in large sips. But definitely not learn to distinguish real emerald from fake and wear old-fashioned dresses.
The figure of the main character from the very beginning causes sympathy. With its timid and so far only internal revolt, it unwittingly challenges modern society. And somehow you expect that this theme will continue in the film. It is clear that this development will most likely occur through the love line. Moreover, Gaston, who does not yet know that he is in love with Gigi, turns out to also like some simple things: to ride donkeys along the water, lose at cards and have fun without any secular gloss.
But the further it goes, the sadder. Gigi turns into a typical girl of that time - behaves like an aristocrat, abandons her inner self and a beautiful, albeit simple, checkered dress. Gaston remains the same smug rich man who believes he can buy everything and everyone. Even Gigi. That's what happens.
It turns out that Gigi from a stirring and self-sufficient girl turns into a “toy”, and Gaston does not understand that it is possible to live happily without the ability to buy relationships when he wants, and abandon them when he is tired. And at the same time, their love is shown as something developing, rapidly growing. But after all, they are real, who were so happy with the weekend together, not them anymore, they are grinded by the era and meanwhile personalities. What then is this love built on? How long will it last?
Something tells me that when you’re not yourself in a relationship, it’s only a matter of time before it ends.
And for that non-disclosure and love naivety, I put the film 6 out of 10. Everything else here is good - camera work, songs, costumes, humor. But...
The most famous work of Vincent Minnelli in our country is undoubtedly his daughter – Lisa. But in America, he is a director with an independent and no less fame than his daughter. It is strange that the most fondled of his film is not the Father of the Bride, later remade with Steve Martin, and not the beautiful, but forgotten “Tea and Sympathy” and not even “American in Paris” (by the way, the city of love appears more than once in his work), but this good, but despite the brightness, rather nondescript romantic musical. Another Cinderella story. Only instead of an innocent working girl, the immediate young lady Gigi, raised by her aunt and grandmother as a courtesan. Instead of a prince, a young sugar grower, brought up in the affairs of relations between the sexes (do you love?) by an old womanizer who once played with Grandma Gigi.
One important plus is the frivolous atmosphere of Paris, but still surprisingly innocently filmed. The world of cabaret, yellow press, lovers and mistresses is served at the level of children aged 12, which is quite cute.
Another plus is that there are not many songs. These are not dialogues, but monologues (including internal ones, which rarely happens), so the film, as much as possible in a musical, is like a natural one.
As always in American musicals, a lot of light (even if dark and night), color and light humor.
One trouble - films like "Gizhi", a pond of water. Released a year earlier, “Love in the afternoon” by Billy Wilder, or, for example, his “Sabrina” (although these are not musicals) will be better (they are less sunny, and despite the happy ending for some reason aching heart). And of course, the parallels with my beautiful lady beg for more. It really came out 6 years later. But for some reason she is remembered, and Gigi - not especially. Melodramatic musical - is that Minnelli's discovery? Can't believe it? I'm not very good myself, but I think so. If you do not take into account Disney cartoons, then so. And you can even perceive the history and methods of its story as transferring cartoons of the great American storyteller to a live (well, almost live screen). This is not the best Minnelli movie. And 9 Oscars is too posh advertising for him and weak compensation for his other creations.
The plot of the film is simple: Paris of the early XX century. Gigi, a very young girl, is trying to teach the manners of the socialite her aunt and grandmother. But Gigi doesn't want the kind of life that the Paris of that period just revels in. An old friend of her family often comes to visit her, Gaston is a handsome and rich young man, one of the most enviable suitors in Paris, who is hunted by ladies of all stripes and ages.
But he comes to Gigi, they drink tea and play cards. It's important for him to see her. It is by communicating with this girl that he feels free from all secular decency and can only be himself with her. But he soon realizes that he loves her. But the girl herself, it seems, is not ready for such a turn of events. . .
The film deserved all of its Oscars at the time of its release. The acting in the film is very good. Lesley Caron is very similar to Audrey Hepburn (by the way, who played the role of Gigi on Broadway, but refused to be filmed), but she manages not to become her pale copy, but to prove that she herself is not inferior to Audrey in terms of acting.
Caron, despite her age (27 years – 11 years more than the script requires), creates a convincing image of a young girl dreaming of true love, not fake smiles of “high society”. And although Batty Vand sings for her in the film, this does not play a decisive role and does not spoil the impression of watching. Maurice Chevalier plays Honore, the uncle of the main character. In my opinion, one hundred percent hit in the image - no comment! Louis Jourdan plays the role of Gaston. You know, personally, I thought he was too sluggish and slow, or maybe he thought so? Singing - somewhere like Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady - at least it is noticeable that he tries to copy his style, albeit with a French accent.
The songwriters for the film, earlier already created on Broadway in 1956 one of the most famous musicals ever staged there. And now, two years later, in 1958, they're making music for this movie. “Thank Heaven for Little Girls,” “The Parisians,” “The Night They Invented Champagne,” and “Say a Prayer for Me Tonight.” I can’t say the same about the Oscar winning song. By the way, in my opinion, one critic drew the right analogy, comparing the similar style of sound songs from "Gizhi" and "My Fair Lady". Judge for yourself:
'The Parisians' - 'Just You Wait'
"The Night They Invented Champagne" - "The Rain in Spain"
'Gigi' - 'I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face', etc.
Perhaps the authors were then impressed by the past success, and decided to transfer part of it to this film. And I have to say, we didn't. In general, I can say that this is a nice romantic melodrama-comedy-musical, but at times boring and with a rather banal plot. In general, for me, the film is nothing, but to put it on a par with such classic musicals as "Singing in the Rain" and "My Fair Lady" I would not - does not hold up. Perhaps it is not a very memorable libretto, perhaps in a fresh game Louis Jourdan .
But, fans of musicals this film can be recommended, fans Lesley Caron and Morisa Chevalier - be sure to watch.
I’m a big fan of old movies, especially when it comes to love. I grew up on Audrey Hepburn’s films, so I couldn’t miss the film, in which she once took part.
The film tells about the life of the Parisian bohemia of the twentieth century, namely about the rich gauze Gaston and the young funny girl Gilberta, who is affectionately called Gigi. What do they have in common?
Gizhi as if from another planet. She dreams of a free life, adventure, travel, love at last. But deprived of maternal love and care, her upbringing is engaged in hardened bachelors grandmother and aunt, who are trying to teach her the manners of a socialite, from which our heroine is not delighted.
Remind me to teach you how to make cigars.
But aunt, I don't smoke cigars.
- Of course you don’t smoke, but men do.
Gaston LaChay is an old friend of the Alvarez family. But not only the tea party attracts him to the house where the young creature lives, but the opportunity to see and communicate with the mischievous girl. Gaston is primarily a global celebrity, for the heart and purse, which is hunted by ladies of all stripes. But tired of burning through life, in Gigi he finds a kindred soul and freedom to be himself.
But little girls are growing up every day. Will Gigi cope with the role of a socialite in long dresses with crinoline, in sight of hundreds of eyes, the film will show.
The cast was pleased. Louis Jourdan and Lesley Caron perfectly conveyed the characters of their heroes. I wanted to believe their feelings and emotions. Gigi is a very bright and funny film and brought me a lot of emotions and impressions. I recommend it to all fans of theatrical productions.
Most of us have an idea of what customs and customs prevailed in the early 20th century, what was accepted and what was considered a crime against conscience and morality. Many young girls were forced to learn the rules of strict etiquette and behavior in the company of men in order to win the sympathy of the narrowed and in general the whole society. Such a fate did not escape the main character, simple-minded girl Gigi, whose desire to win the sympathy of a man will grow into something more.
Plot
A very young Frenchwoman, Gigi is diligently taught the basics of feminine etiquette to marry a wealthy aristocrat. However, impatient and overwhelmed by a storm of energy and emotions, Gigi does not seek to learn lessons. But everything changes when Gigi falls in love with an old family friend of a rich young man Gaston LaShale.
Game of actors
In general, the actors performed their roles very well. Leslie Caron, who by that time had already become famous thanks to her role as Lisa in another famous musical “American in Paris”, this time played the role of cheerful Gigi, who flatly refuses the role of a decent lady. Particularly remembered is the role of Maurice Chevalier, who played the role of the old “canova” Henri LaChalle, who, despite his years, still believes in the success of the seduction of women. And finally, I remember the role of Hermione Gingold, who played the role of Gigi’s grandmother, a caring woman who reluctantly agrees to teach Gigi manners, although she appreciates her love of life.
Director
In general, Vincente Minelli made a good film, for which he received a deserved Oscar. However, I was embarrassed by one moment. The movie was too simple. Of course, you can understand that this is a film about love, and even more so a musical. But, in my opinion, the director should have filled a little tragedy, which would have strengthened the atmosphere. However, Gigi is a very positive and kind film. There is not a drop of cruelty or meanness in it. Scenes with songs left a sea of positive emotions in the soul, from which I wanted to dance in time with the film.
Scenario
Of course, I did not read Colette’s novel, based on which the script was written, and then the film was made, but a few words about the plot is still worth saying. Firstly, I would like to praise the writers for their excellent embodiment on the screen of the early XX century, when the norms and frameworks of morality that may seem ridiculous at the present time were still in use. The film is very simple in terms of melodrama. The feelings of the main characters flashed too quickly. However, this moment is not so noticeable. Therefore, the film did not just win an Oscar for best adapted screenplay.
Operation of the operator
Joseph Ruttenberg, who won an Oscar for his work in the film Gigi, deserved this award. Thanks to excellent angles, he managed to capture the beauty of the early 20th century era in France. It is worth noting that the film generally used the game of colors, and the operator of this game only emphasized. I especially liked the location shooting on the beach in Truvel, in which Ruttenberg captured the characters against the backdrop of the setting sun. It looked very beautiful.
Installation
Regarding the editing, I would like to commend Adrienne Fazan for the beautiful transitions between the various scenes and episodes. Usually in old movies, the transition was carried out with an immersion, so to speak, in the dark. Here it was somewhat different: as if the frame smoothly flows into another. I especially liked the episode in which the main character Gaston tries to entertain himself by arranging various events, but he does not succeed.
Soundtrack
The magnificent French composer Andre Preven wrote magnificent music for the film, listening to which you seem to dance in the rhythm of a waltz. Especially remembered the main theme of “Gizhi”, which conveyed not only the mood of the main character, but also the mood and positive atmosphere in general.
Decorations and costumes
The artistic side of the film also played an important role, namely, helped the viewer to plunge not only into the atmosphere of the film, but generally plunge into the historical era in which the film takes place. The amazing scenery of the apartment in which Gigi lived immersed you in the world of impressionism. And costumes, dresses and other amazing outfits make you enjoy it all, despite your preferences.
Result
Gigi is one of the most beautiful musicals in the history of cinema. Excellent shootings, a beautiful acting ensemble, visual skill of musical scenes - all this left a positive residue on the soul. Despite the simplicity of the plot, you will still love the film for its kindness and sincerity.