And the Best Picture goes to...
1958
Arthur Freed, Producer
1 hour 56 minutes
Estimated Budget $3,319,355
Rated G
The Other Nominated Films
Auntie Mame
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
The Defiant Ones
Separate Tables
Directed by Vincente Minnelli Winner, Best Director
Charles Walters
CAST
Leslie Caron
Louis Jourdan
Maurice Chevalier
Hermoine Gingold
Isabel Jeans
Also Nominated for
Alan Jay Lerner Winner, Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay
Joseph Ruttenberg Winner, Best Cinematography, Color
William A. Horning Winner, Best Art Direction
E. Preston Ames
Henry Grace
F. Keogh Gleason
Cecil Beaton Winner, Best Costume Design
Adrienne Fazan Winner, Best Film Editing
Frederick Loewe Winner, Best Song (for the song “Gigi”)
Alan Jay Lerner
Andre Previn Winner, Best Music Score
LOGLINE:
In 1900, a bored Parisian playboy strikes up a friendship with a young courtesan-in-training, that eventually blossoms into love.
REVIEW:
“Gigi,” attempts to charm audiences with its beautiful Parisian backdrop and reteaming the director, producer, and lead actress that previously worked together on “An American in Paris.” While the film certainly leans more heavily on song than dance, which is curious since lead actress Leslie Caron is an accomplished dancer, it doesn’t come off as particularly engaging.
Caron plays Gigi, a young girl being groomed to become a mistress to a wealthy man—a practice that was socially acceptable at the time, as detailed in Colette’s original novel. It’s hard to ignore that this setup might feel a bit troubling by today’s standards, even if it was more the norm back then.
Personally, I found Caron’s performance more engaging in this film than in “An American in Paris.” She embodies the role with beauty and grace, especially as her character transitions from adolescence to adulthood. However, it felt rather implausible for a 27-year-old to convincingly portray a teenager, which sometimes took me out of the moment.
Louis Jourdan certainly fits the bill as the charming yet disenchanted bachelor whose life propels much of the plot. While he does well in his role, I found the performances of the supporting cast, particularly the Grandmother and Aunt Alicia, to be the true highlights. Their comedic timing and unique perspectives on Gigi’s “education”—everything from cigar selection to fashion advice—brought some much-needed lightness to the film. It’s a shame that neither Isabel Jeans nor Hermione Gingold received Oscar nominations for their delightful performances as I felt they stole quite a few scenes.
At the end of the day, while “Gigi” has its moments and certainly showcases beautiful visuals, I struggled to understand how it managed to triumph over “Auntie Mame” during awards season. The latter not only had a better story but also the inimitable Rosalind Russell, who delivered an exceptional performance. Overall, “Gigi” is a decent musical but in my opinion it falls short of being a classic.