Gigi

Movie review by S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
Gigi Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 12+

Charming, pretty 1950s musical with dated gender roles.

G 1958 116 minutes
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 10+

Based on 2 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that, scratch below the pretty surface of this iconic 1950s musical and some dated and slightly racy themes appear: about how important it is to make your man happy and whether it's better to be a wife or a mistress. Still, tweens and teens who give it a try will be entranced by the splendidness and charm of it all, and will likely put such plot points within the film's historical context. There's no swearing or nudity, and any drinking and smoking is done so socially.

Community Reviews

jmo97
jmo97 Adult
May 17, 2016
age 13+

Pretty to look at, but not very engaging

This musical's about a French girl who is trying to learn how to become a woman. There are some good performances, like the aunt, and I did like the chemistry between Gigi and Gaston. I also thought that the movie had some very beautiful production values. I was so uninterested in the movie though. I could not wait for it to finish. You know there is a problem with the film when the most memorable song lyric is "It's a bore!". Concerning problematic content, there is virtually no violence other than a few arguments that never go over the top. There isn't any swearing or overt sexual content, but the film has some glimpses of partial nudity, and the overall themes of Gigi learning how to become a woman isn't portrayed in a very interesting fashion that can interest a lot of kids. 5.3/10

This title has:

Too much sex
avocats
avocats Adult
May 9, 2010
age 16+

Not for tweens

It is about prostitution, all being said, isn't it? Gigi says that she will be expected to sleep in his bed in exchange for a life of luxury. I don't know about 12 as old enough for dealing with those concepts, regardless of the happy outcome. The film made also me feel a bit creepy, his being a family friend and all that.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

It's the turn of the century -- 20th century -- Paris, and young Gigi (Leslie Caron) is poised to follow in her aunt's (Isabel Jeans) and grandmother's (Hermione Gingold) footsteps to become a highly courted courtesan in this cinematic adaptation of author Colette's novella. It's serious business that requires serious training, but Gigi is constantly distracted by their family friend, the affluent and popular bachelor Gaston Lachaille (Louis Jourdan). As they spend more time together, the two grow to care for one another. But Gigi's expected to be a mistress; can she really be the wife? Especially since love, to her, seems befuddling and mysterious? Besides, she's changing as she perfects her craft, and Gaston may not appreciate the metamorphosis. Can their love last?

Is It Any Good?

As one of GIGI's most popular songs goes, "Thank heaven for little girls," and that much is true for the film in general. It's an Academy Award-winning classic for a reason -- or, rather, so many reasons: inventive plot, memorable music (by Alan Jay Lerner and Fritz Loewe), swoony costumes (by the legendary Cecil Beaton), and inspiring performances. With Paris as the backdrop, no less. At times the film feels almost too perfect, as though engineered for maximum effect but lacking heft, and today's audiences may find the way it prettifies its subject matter -- Gigi is being prepared, essentially, for mistress-hood -- off-puttingly old-fashioned. But the doubts fall away after the opening credits and the charm offensive begins.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why Gigi is being trained to become a great courtesan/mistress? Why is this a lofty (at least in Paris during that time period) goal? Or isn't it?

  • What makes Gigi so appealing to Gaston? Is there something off-putting in the idea that an older family friend like him ends up dating a younger woman he's known since her teens? (Gigi's age isn't specified, but there are references to her being young.)

  • Clearly, some themes in the film are dated (specifically the role of women), but they're worth discussing. What do you think of how men are fought for in this society, and the women who are groomed to please them?

Movie Details

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