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Gigi (1958)

Director: Vincente Minnelli

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Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

Not a Broadway-based musical but a screen original, derived from Colette's short novel set in turn-of-the-century Paris, with famous if vapid songs by Lerner and Loewe ('I Remember It Well', 'Thank Heaven for Little Girls'). But the dominating creative contribution comes from Minnelli and Cecil Beaton (responsible for production design and costumes). The combination of these two visual elitists is really too much - it's like a meal consisting of cheesecake, and one quickly longs for something solid and vulgar to weigh things down. No doubt inspired by the finicky, claustrophobic sets and bric-à-brac, the cast tries (with unfortunate success) to be more French than the French, especially Chevalier. The exception is Gingold, who inhabits, as always, a world of her own.

Author: GB 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

  • JR said...
    Posted on Oct 06 2009 20:16 An excellent feelgood movie. Located in turn-of-the-century Paris. Gigi is pure entertainment. No bang-pow, not a real drama, no thriller in the story. It is simply a cute (as well as funny) story about a young girl growing into a young lady and discovering love. Accidentally. Much comedy keeps the viewer wanting to get to the next scene. An excellent choice for a quiet evening or a family viewing. Not reccomended, however, if one is addicted to pyrotechnics and CGI.
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Cast & crew

Director: Vincente Minnelli

Producer: Arthur Freed

Cast: Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jourdan, Hermione Gingold, Jacques Bergerac, Eva Gabor, Isabel Jeans full cast

Genre(s): Musicals

Duration: 116 mins


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