Film Review: Gigi, Directed by Vincente Minnelli

The film "Gigi" was release in 1958. This American musical is based on a novella by Colette, screenplay by Alan Jay Lerner, music by Frederick Loewe, music conducted by Andre Previn, and directed by Vincente Minnelli. This film is considered to be the last great MGM musical, and the final great achievement of the Freed Unit, headed by producer Arthur Freed. I am proud to report this is an American musical with all the class and sophistication that can be eked out of those Parisians.

The tale is set at the turn of the 20^th Century in Paris. The musical commences with Honore Lachaille, played by Maurice Chevalier, explaining the facts of life to his nephew Gaston Lachaille, played by Louis Jourdan. Gaston is bored with life, but enjoys spending time with Madame Alvares, played by Hermione Gingold and especially her granddaughter, Gigi, played by Leslie Caron.

According to family tradition, Madame Alvarez sends Gigi to her Aunt Alicia, played by Isabel Jeans to be groomed as a courtesan. As a courtesan, Gigi must have etiquette, poise, charm and sophistication. Gigi is difficult, she cheats and cards, and disarming as Gaston soon discovers while on vacation at the seashore. There is a rendez vous amongst old lovers Madame Alvarez and Honore Lachaille, and new lovers Gigi and Gaston Lachaille.

Gaston is a notorious lover with women trying to commit suicide due to his insolence, precarious disposition. Regardless of Gaston's deplorable behavior, Aunt Alicia insist that Gigi must increase her etiquette lessons if she want to potentially catch a prize, such as Gaston. Gaston drops by for a visit, and Gigi is dressed not in a French girl school uniform, but rather a beautiful dress for a lady. Gaston becomes angry, but fails to realize why he was angry. Gaston was angry for fear of losing his playmate Gigi to a man. Without Gaston realizing it, he was falling in love with Gigi.

This is one of the most wonderful movies of all time. The film is exuberant, bright and witty, and the stars invite you into a different world, a world in which we should all be a part. Enjoy this adoring musical with such songs like The Night They Invented Champagne and I Remember it Well. Watch this musical when you feel as though you need to be a part of another simpler world, France 1900.

Gigi was nominated for nine Academy Awards. Gigi won all nine Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Scoring of Musical Picture and Best Original Song.