Gigi(1958)

I've seen it once. Not a fan of musicals. Most musicals are fluff. I sincerely doubt you could get away with a song like Thank Heaven for Little Girls again. I know it was innocent but Chevallier was still creepy looking while singing it.

Exquisite.

Witty, intelligent and subtle, it's sumptuously designed and beautifully mounted, delightfully cast and performed as well as carefully constructed and paced. At first glance, it may indeed appear to be "fluff," exploring those living in a rarefied atmosphere where concerns that would seem frivolous to most are of paramount importance, but therein lies its artistry and charm: like admiring a perfectly-cut diamond that can be appreciated for its elegant craftsmanship in spite of its dubious utility or necessity, it gently observes its subjects and the long-gone society they inhabited, inaccessible to all but a few even during its existence, with patient affection that indicates neither approval nor disapproval, while doing so with respect for their humanity. Frivolous as they are, they take themselves seriously and so does the film, finding its humor in that very seriousness, but never at their expense. In this way, it maintains complete integrity through the delicacy of both topic and depiction. 

All of these aspects are perfectly complimented by the Lerner and Loewe score, which finds profound things to say about life and love, youth and age and the pursuits of whatever it is that moves any given individual that are universal, even while filtered through esoteric viewpoints. For instance, one of those songs, the title number "Gigi," presents a lyric that is among the most poetically beautiful in its simplicity as has ever been written, as Gaston discovers his deep feeling for the young woman who has always been in his orbit, but of whom he'd been only fond but dismissive:

"Gigi!
Have I been standing up too close
Or back too far?"

How extraordinarily concise a description of the circumstance, whatever the context, of sudden realization of the value of that which has always been before us but never cherished.

Another aspect of the score is its thematic unification into plot points, which serve as more than mere framework upon which to hang musical numbers. If there's a central theme to Gigi, it's maturity in its various stages: the lack of it; the attainment of it; the advantages and disadvantages of it. It's one that weaves through the development of most of the primary characters at some point, and is reflected in many of the songs.  

"It's A Bore" pits it against the callow impatience of youth. "The Parisians" depicts the puzzlement of those who are outsiders to it. "I Remember It Well" contrasts its nostalgic qualities with its realistic ones. "She Is Not Thinking Of Me" mocks youthful arrogance, which itself thinly masks the vulnerability of everyone who's ever felt denied of the attention of those from whom we most crave it. "The Night They Invented Champagne" celebrates its ability to appreciate momentary pleasures. "I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore" is a wistful yet pragmatic reflection on surrendering to it. "Thank Heaven For Little Girls" is rakish yet sincere commentary on the journey toward it.             

For many, Gigi may be an acquired taste; I know it was in my case. When I first saw it about 40 years ago, it lacked what I most admired in musicals at the time: the wizard-like dance executions of Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly or Eleanor Powell; the intricate and dazzling geometry, photography and editing of Busby Berkeley extravaganzas; snappy dialogue and sleek, brisk modernity; the astonishing vocal gifts of performers like Judy Garland. The fact is my musical palate was simply not yet mature or sophisticated enough to savor the opulent yet piquant menu it offered. Giving it a couple more chances in succeeding years has returned rewards many times over, and it's since become a favored treat.    
                

As Leslie Caron once said (or implied) it is an elegant movie about teaching a young girl to become a Parisian prostitute.
 
Many people never realize that that is what it is all about. They get caught up in the fluff and forget what the story is all about. Think about this when  Maurice Chevalier sings "Thank Heaven for Little Girls"  
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRsb9qyvofU

I saw this in the theater when I was 8 years old, I guess because going to the neighborhood movie house was something we did on the weekend.

Remember very little about it, except wondering why I was there watching it.