Gigi (1958) Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Director: Vincente Minnelli Producer: Arthur Freed Cast: Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jourdan, Hermione Gingold, Eva Gabor, Jacques Bergerac, Isabel Jeans. Awards ceremony: -31st Academy Awards: April 6, 1959. Pantages Theatre, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Other films nominated for Best Motion Picture this year: -Auntie Mame. -Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. -The Defiant Ones. -Separate Tables. Plot summary: Set in Paris 1900, the story of a 15 year-old French schoolgirl (with a British accent.... fancy that?) called Gigi (LESLIE CARON) who resists the advances of a distinguished French gentleman who seeks her hand in marriage, the pervert that he is. Gigi's grandmother (HERMIONE GINGOLD) and snobby Aunt Alicia (ISABEL JEANS) lend their respective helping hands in guiding her accordingly. Oh, and it also has a shit-load of songs too. Standout scene: The scene where Gigi's grandmother gives Gaston the third degree in the living room. Up until that point Madame Alvarez (the grandmother, HERMIONE GINGOLD) had been seen as merely an awkward character in the background but this was definitely her best moment in the film. Facts: -The 31st Academy Awards. -Nominated for 9 Academy Awards, it won all 9 (a record up to this point): Best Film, Best Director, Writing/Screenplay (adapted), Best Music Score, Music (song), Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Cinematography, Best Editing. -This was the second Best Picture film starring Leslie Caron (the first was An American In Paris). -This was the second Best Picture film directed by Vincent Minnelli (the first was An American In Paris). -The book on which the film is based identifies the titular character Gigi as 15 years old, but was played by the 26 year-old Leslie Caron. Personal opinion: I'll begin with the good stuff because there are admittedly a lot of positives about it: the bright and rich colours are beautiful, with eye-pleasing set designs and costumes. The catchy, toe-tapping soundtrack treats us to many songs along the way, the best being "I Remember It Well". I loved the two elderly women's characters played by Hermione Gingold and Isabel Jeans (who dresses as though she is the fairy godmother!) The outrageous and forced accents did make me laugh too. And the film on Blu-Ray looks and sounds brilliant, I cannot deny. It's a soppy feel-good film filled with an abundance of nonsense. The problem with it is that it just lacks excitement. For a film that won 9 Oscars it was pretty average. Did it deserve the Oscar? QUESTIONABLE. 5/10

Review date: 06 March 2025