Gigi or Oh That's What Fille de Joie Means.

Musicals for me are either hit or miss. Sound of Music definite hit. My Fair Lady...I would rather be hit over the face with a bag of bricks before watching that train wreck again, so yeah miss.

Based of Gigi's Netflix description, I wasn't exactly thrilled. French waif being groomed as the fille de joie of handsome man...yawn. Or so I thought. This is what happens when you don't know French.

Just FYI, fille de joie=prostitute.

Hmmm besides this creepy detail Gigi is full of seriously witty and saucy dialogue. Who knew the zingers in 1900 were as fresh as they are today?

Gigi (played by Leslie Caron) is a young uncultured girl who is being "taught the ways of the world" by her Aunt Alicia, a courtesan of years past. Her aunt is tirelessly grooming her to be a useful (aka profitable) mistress should a man take interest. Gigi has no interest in these lessons and prefers to march to the tune of her own drum.

Gaston (played by Louis Jourdan, yum) is a family friend of Gigi's family and is extremely rich from his family's sugar company. In the beginning of the movie, the dynamic between Gigi and Gaston is very much brother and sister, with Gaston bringing Gigi sweets and trinkets from his travels. However, as Gigi's lessons with her aunt continue (and after a weekend trip to the beach together), Gaston starts to see Gigi as more than a child.

Gigi is a cute story with creepy undertones (what if your aunt was trying to pimp you out!) laden with catchy songs ("Thank Heaven for Little Girls", "She's Not Thinking of Me", "Gigi"), interesting fashion choices (does Gigi know those are actual birds on her dress?) and zingers galore (see some of my favorites listed below).

To me Gigi shares similarities with The Princess Diaries. Both young girls are being groomed for responsibilities they aren't exactly prepared for (although Mia's is definitely much more kosher). They make several goofs but in the end they hold their own. Also I think Gigi and Mia share the trait that they might seem totally clueless but people should give them more credit. What plays in their favor is their uniqueness.

Because goodness who doesn't agree with Gaston that life in general can be such a bore? Espeically in the upper sects of society when everyone is trying to be like everyone else, and behavior that lies outside social convention is considered taboo. When you do the same thing every day and surround yourself with people who all act and dress the same, it would be near impossible to keep your eyes open!

Gigi = breath of fresh air.

Gaston approves and I approve of the movie. I give it a 4 because I was entertained by the story and appreciated the timelessness of it. No matter the year or how twisted (again Aunt pimping out niece) it seems like love stories can always be related to. Also I always approve of a female protagonist who wants more out of life than to be the "it man's" current play thing. You go Gigi. And you go Leslie Caron. I liked you stupendously more in Gigi than An American in Paris. Those seven years did you some good.

And even with the prostitute undertones, the love story between Gaston and Gigi is so sweet. You can't deny that. 

Favorite Moments
 

• Zingers 
• "It makes you look like a giraffe with a goiter." (Gee thanks Gaston!) 
• "The only people who make love all the time are liars." 
• "Bad table manners have broken up more households than infidelity."

• "Instead of getting married at once, it sometimes happens we get married at last." Wise words Aunt Alicia, even though everything else about you is a little a lot backwards. 
• I want to go ice skating at this rink. So fancy! 
• I love that Gaston's father has diabetes and he's in the sugar business. See even back in 1958 we knew an unbalanced diet could lead to diabetes!
• I think Gaston and I are kindred souls. I would totally fall asleep at a raging party and would find a socialite's life a total bore. 

Boo Moments 

• You know "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" is a pretty creepy song when you think about it. Especially since it's sung by an old man...hmmm...
• I think a man's priorities are a little a lot skewed when a former lover's suicide attempt is considered a victory. Not cool Uncle Honore, really not cool. 

• Speaking of Uncle Honore...I'm just not a fan. You're actually kind of sad. Get a life. 

Did You Know?

• The cat used in the movie hated Leslie Caron so much, he had to be heavily drugged so she could home him. (Poor thing!) 
• Gigi won all nine Academy Awards it was nominated for. 
• The movie was written, cast and filmed all in the span of four months.