I saw this after having already seen the 1949 non-musical film of the same name, which I disliked (5/10).
I liked this one slightly more, but not enough to recommend it. I remain stunned that this actually won any award for its year.
Two differences between the 1949 and 1958 versions: (1) The 1949 version makes it very clear what is going on, and I prefer the honesty of that version, if nothing else. The child is entirely dependent on grandmother, who is intent on turning her into a whore for rich men who like adolescent girls. I don't recall exactly, but I doubt it ended with a marriage. In 1958, it's not entirely clear until late in the film that the adults in Gigi's life are grooming her to be a teen mistress, and the grandmother seems to have doubts. (2) The subject matter in 1958 is pushed to the back with happy-sounding songs, over-saturated colour, and a ridiculous happy ending marriage. Frankly, audiences of this sort of film don't seem to care at all about plot, as long as there's a faux-happy ending and some razzle dazzle.
Regarding the ending, keep in mind that Gigi is marrying a man-slut, who is almost certainly going to cheat on her in a few months (as Honoré says) when he gets bored and finds someone younger.
"Thank Heaven for Little Girls" is just creepy, and it's not the only song about old men lusting after teenage girls in the film. In the discussion area people describe this character as sweet and grandfatherly, ignoring the obvious truth that these are exactly the men who are likely to commit abuse, because they can get away with it. Did the last 20 years happen, or did I just imagine it? I thought we learned this. And by the way, how many grandchildren does this man have, and by how many women? Do his grandchildren even know him?
The "Say A Prayer For Me Tonight" scene reminded me of "The Boondocks" Hunger Strike episode where the BET CEO has what appears to be a dead cat in her arms (meant to be a spoof of Dr. Evil and Mr. Bigglesworth, but unintentionally also spoofs Gigi and her cat) I found most of the songs lacklustre and dull and instantly forgettable. And for a musical, there was too much talking, not enough music.
I have not seen many films from 1958, and most of them were at least as bad as this one. But I would recommend The Defiant Ones over this.
I liked this one slightly more, but not enough to recommend it. I remain stunned that this actually won any award for its year.
Two differences between the 1949 and 1958 versions: (1) The 1949 version makes it very clear what is going on, and I prefer the honesty of that version, if nothing else. The child is entirely dependent on grandmother, who is intent on turning her into a whore for rich men who like adolescent girls. I don't recall exactly, but I doubt it ended with a marriage. In 1958, it's not entirely clear until late in the film that the adults in Gigi's life are grooming her to be a teen mistress, and the grandmother seems to have doubts. (2) The subject matter in 1958 is pushed to the back with happy-sounding songs, over-saturated colour, and a ridiculous happy ending marriage. Frankly, audiences of this sort of film don't seem to care at all about plot, as long as there's a faux-happy ending and some razzle dazzle.
Regarding the ending, keep in mind that Gigi is marrying a man-slut, who is almost certainly going to cheat on her in a few months (as Honoré says) when he gets bored and finds someone younger.
"Thank Heaven for Little Girls" is just creepy, and it's not the only song about old men lusting after teenage girls in the film. In the discussion area people describe this character as sweet and grandfatherly, ignoring the obvious truth that these are exactly the men who are likely to commit abuse, because they can get away with it. Did the last 20 years happen, or did I just imagine it? I thought we learned this. And by the way, how many grandchildren does this man have, and by how many women? Do his grandchildren even know him?
The "Say A Prayer For Me Tonight" scene reminded me of "The Boondocks" Hunger Strike episode where the BET CEO has what appears to be a dead cat in her arms (meant to be a spoof of Dr. Evil and Mr. Bigglesworth, but unintentionally also spoofs Gigi and her cat) I found most of the songs lacklustre and dull and instantly forgettable. And for a musical, there was too much talking, not enough music.
I have not seen many films from 1958, and most of them were at least as bad as this one. But I would recommend The Defiant Ones over this.