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Rating:  - Gigi Movie Review from The Massie Twins
Gigi wishes for something more than just riches as she's transformed into a proper lady to appeal to extremely wealthy sugar king Gaston. And although this lush musical boasts about love, it defines marriage to be superior to undying romance. Aside from Maurice Chevalier's enchanting song "I Remember It Well," Gigi is only delightful most of the time, occasionally losing steam during musical sequences that fail to spark prominent emotions. The story is estimable but not unparalleled, and with chiefly forgettable tunes, Gigi is oftentimes dismissed for An American In Paris, the other Best Picture winning MGM musical set in Paris and starring Leslie Caron (seven years earlier) or My Fair Lady (which has a similar ordinary-girl-to-glamorous-girl plot).
Based on the novel by Colette, Gigi tells the story of a young girl (Leslie Caron) who has grown up to be a desirable woman (her sparkle turned to fire) right before the unseeing eyes of rich playboy Gaston (Louis Jourdan). Gigi's grandmother (Hermione Gingold) and Aunt Alicia recognize her potential as a mistress for Gaston, and attempt to teach her to be mature and ladylike (or better than everyone else) with lessons in table manners, education in jewelry and choosing the perfect cigar. While they train her to be high society gossip fare (or a "Fair Lady"), her wonderfully backward individuality is suppressed. But she sees the embarrassing publicity that surrounds Gaston and his every romantic escapade and dreams of true love over just a profitable affair.
When Honore (Maurice Chevalier) opens the film with narration and the song "Thank Heaven for Little Girls," it might be too much for the younger generation to stifle chuckles at the monstrously pedophiliac undertones that plague the lyrics of this once innocent song. The rest of the film, however, does a masterful job at disguising Gigi's potential role as a high-class prostitute, Honore's rather inappropriate chasing after the much younger crowd and infidelity, and keeping the tone lighthearted and charming.
Gaston is too good for Gigi, or at least he should be, what with his vast wealth and plentiful possessions. But the belle's simple longing for romance and real love wins over his believing in superiority. She is not the one with an ice-covered soul (as he sings to Honore) but her surroundings, family influences, and the constant nosiness of the rich and famous that provokes her to reject what makes sense for her status. Love, as usual, although characterized here by marriage, is a winner in the eyes of the Academy, who favored Gigi with nine Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director for musical master Vincente Minnelli.
- Mike Massie
Rating:  - 50th Anniversary Edition of Gigi has many additions
Gigi won the Academy Award for best movie 50 years ago. This was the last of the great Arthur Freed MGM musical masterpieces.
You will not be dissapointed with this special 50th anniversary edition. In addition to the wonderful movie, it includes awesome extras. For example, Leslie Caron does a commentary. There is also a "Making of Gigi" documentary. Of particular interest is the original 1949 French movie of the original Gigi. This one is before the Lerner and Lowe score.
Rating: - A Musical Must
This wonderful movie is a MUST HAVE for anyone who loves musicals and never tires of the delightful experience of viewing this great film. Wonderful music, sophisticated and witty dialog, gorgeous costumes and scenery are all brought together with consumate skill. The acting is outstanding, especially the performances of the uncle, Maurice Chevalier, and Gigi's grandmother, Hermione Gingold.
Although the film was released in 1958, it has a timeless appeal for audiences of all ages. I enjoyed it when it was first released, my children and grandchildren have seen and loved it. I highly recommend watching and re-watching Gigi, especially if you're into romance and beauty!
Rating: - Most Of These reviews do not apply to this release
The Following is a comment on Amazon's providing correct info to purchasers.
Most of the reviews displayed here do not apply to this most recent, 2 disc release of Gigi. They can't possibly because this version is not yet available and isn't due out til Sep, 16. After doing a little research this release is in widescreen and the proper running time is
116 mins.
Amazon, you are great at providing a huge and updated selection of DVDs
to purchase, but your providing improper and incorrect info and not keeping the reviews separate as they pertain to each release of the same movie is probably costing you sales.
Thank you for the opportunity to review and to access reviews of movies because it greatly assists purchasers in more carefully selecting what they want, but each review needs to be kept specific to that particular version or release. At times, there are multiple releases of the same movie and, over time, each release gains many reviews. When a subsequent release of the same movie becomes available the reviews from the previous release or releases somehow end up in the ad for the newer one(sometimes even before it's released, as in the case of this edition of "GIGI") creating confusion among potential customers. The same also applies to the upcoming release of "How The West Was Won".
For more info on specs and extras concerning this latest release of "GIGI", please see review here by Dave "Davelandweb" posted July 21, 2008
Thanx for letting me use your orange crate.
Rating:  - Why this version is 1.33:1?
Going through the new releases page, today 13th August 2008, I thought "Woww, a new version of the great GIGI." I was about to pre-order a copy, but when I noticed that the aspect ratio was not that of the Original Version, sorry thanks very much. I'll be happy with the version I already have in my collection. GIGI as a film, is sure is a 5 star picture. A film I always loved. I'm so disappointed!!!
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