The art decoration and sumptuous costuming designed by Cecil Beaton are truly striking in every respect. The storyline what there is of it is rather weak. The presentation is reminiscent of "My Fair Lady" but lacking in a good story is not half as great.
Maurice Chevalier as Gaston's Uncle Honore steals the show and gives the best performance due mainly to his special French charm and charisma. He lifts every scene. His singing of "Thank Heaven for little girls" sets the spirit of the film as he advises Gaston on the importance of enjoying life. The main ingredients appear to be Paris, Springtime and girls, preferably young ones.
Gigi (Leslie Caron) is taught the social graces and niceties of life by her grandmama and friends such as how to drink a glass of wine and how to choose a good cigar. These scenes I found not particularly funny. Perhaps it was unconvincing because the actor was trying to be very naive and young and inexperienced. Louis Jordan as Gaston the bored millionaire playboy was OK in a romantic role which was relatively undemanding. I particularly liked his rendition of the song "Gigi" when his attitude to life is suddenly changed. "Gigi" happens to be my favourite tune in the whole film.
Paris life is captured in glorious technicolour. Note that it is devoid of all shabbiness and poverty. The film opens near the Bois de Boulogne in 1900 and wanders amongst the skating rink and places of great entertainment where money seems to be the least of their worries. This is escapism de luxe.
Not a great film but quite pleasant to watch. I'll be singing "Gigi" a long time after the film has been forgotten.
Maurice Chevalier as Gaston's Uncle Honore steals the show and gives the best performance due mainly to his special French charm and charisma. He lifts every scene. His singing of "Thank Heaven for little girls" sets the spirit of the film as he advises Gaston on the importance of enjoying life. The main ingredients appear to be Paris, Springtime and girls, preferably young ones.
Gigi (Leslie Caron) is taught the social graces and niceties of life by her grandmama and friends such as how to drink a glass of wine and how to choose a good cigar. These scenes I found not particularly funny. Perhaps it was unconvincing because the actor was trying to be very naive and young and inexperienced. Louis Jordan as Gaston the bored millionaire playboy was OK in a romantic role which was relatively undemanding. I particularly liked his rendition of the song "Gigi" when his attitude to life is suddenly changed. "Gigi" happens to be my favourite tune in the whole film.
Paris life is captured in glorious technicolour. Note that it is devoid of all shabbiness and poverty. The film opens near the Bois de Boulogne in 1900 and wanders amongst the skating rink and places of great entertainment where money seems to be the least of their worries. This is escapism de luxe.
Not a great film but quite pleasant to watch. I'll be singing "Gigi" a long time after the film has been forgotten.