Gigi's Lost Lessons
#25Gigi's Lost Lessons
Posted: 3/7/14 at 9:05pmJane, I don't think you have to apologize for not falling under Gigi's spell. Myself, I find it a bit in some ways hard to reconcile the book with the film (granted, I took a lit class in Gigi for my first French language university class, so.) I think Collette was making a much stronger point in her novel than the film even remotely tries to make (and as others have pointed out, why should it?) -- and yet, I love the film unabashedly. I know that in many ways the Freed Unit just wanted to adapt MFL, and find something they could lay that framework on. But I think it works perfectly.
#26Gigi's Lost Lessons
Posted: 3/7/14 at 9:06pm
The lighting and the colors ('I Remember It Well' in particular feels very An American in Paris) are why I like it, actually. Call me an auteurist/aesthete, but Minnelli totally presses my buttons as a director. Even his non-musicals hold quite well for me.
The songs, well, not Lerner and Loewe's best (but certainly not their worst, I heard that musical of The Litte Prince) and most certainly My Fair Lady b-side feelings, 'Say a Prayer for Me Tonight' was, in fact, originally for MFL, I did still enjoy them. They're all so short and contained, nothing too elaborate. Even Chevalier's 'show-stopper', as I put it, is mostly him just sitting down at a table alone, breaking the fourth wall. But I really liked how Gaston's number lamenting a disinterested mistress had him mostly internal monologuing it in voice-over. Was that a first in a musical? What I appreciate is the idea this was always made for a film audience. It feels inventive but never stops to pat itself on the back, even if there are literal freeze moments of the background ensemble.
#27Gigi's Lost Lessons
Posted: 3/7/14 at 10:12pm
You know what folks? I'm not apologizing for my opinion, nor does anyone have to. Sometimes you just don't like something. Who knows why? I completely "get" most things that I watch, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. Nor does anyone else. I don't ask for explanations on matters of taste from anyone, but I don't mind trying to explain my taste.
I just don't like the practice of judging people based on if they liked a film. oy vey. really.
#28Gigi's Lost Lessons
Posted: 3/7/14 at 10:21pmOh, don't let that post be a criticism of your critiques, Jane2. There are plenty of things I like or disliked about films that people felt the opposite about, even in instances where that other people and I were mostly on the same page about the film. Nothing to apologize for. It's just a dialogue.
#29Gigi's Lost Lessons
Posted: 3/8/14 at 8:49amThanks Strummer. Actually, that comment is so silly I should have ignored it but it simply isn't true.
#30Gigi's Lost Lessons
Posted: 3/8/14 at 9:07am
Jane, I think you misunderstood my comments. I was talking specifically about people who TRASH and HATE "Gigi" for the reasons we were all disguising: they find it creepy with tones of pedophilia, etc., not just someone who doesn't care for a film or has a different opinion than my own.
I think if someone sees a pedophile and creepiness in "Gigi," it does say a lot about that person. Thats how I feel about it. If you disagree with me, that's fine. But I wasn't judging all people who have a different opinion than mine. In fact, I welcome it, because it makes for interesting discussions. I've been clear many times in threads that I welcome opinions that aren't in line with my own. I usually learn something from it. For example, strummergirl and I don't see eye to eye in many cases on films because we have different tastes and experiences, but I love reading her posts and her views on the subject and made a point of saying so in a thread last week.
If you think one can't learn a lot about a person from their viewpoints and opinions, that's fine. I think one can.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
#31Gigi's Lost Lessons
Posted: 3/8/14 at 9:12am
Colette would have a good laugh at people who think Gigi promotes pedophilia.
#32Gigi's Lost Lessons
Posted: 3/8/14 at 10:26am
Best 12, I feel exactly the same way about Strummergirl as you do. I feel that way about you, too. You're very astute about your topics of expertise and I respect that. You and I clash a lot in opinions too but that doesn't bother me.
If there's one thing that gets my goat more than anything else on this site, it's judging peoples' opinions. My blood boils when one poster is criticized and/or even insulted because they posted how they felt about a show, film, or anything else. And it happens A LOT here. People get so invested and emotionally attached to a piece of art that they're insulted and lash out at others who don't feel that way. I don't understand why anyone even cares what others think.
If i totally misunderstood you, I'm sorry, but from what I read, I don't think I TOTALLY misunderstood it. Either way, I look forward to more debating on here!
#33Gigi's Lost Lessons
Posted: 3/8/14 at 10:40amp.s. I'm starting to feel like I'm a lunatic on here. (no comments necessary, I know it).
#34Gigi's Lost Lessons
Posted: 3/8/14 at 11:36am
Oh, Jane. Don't be silly.
You're no more a lunatic on here than I am.
#35Gigi's Lost Lessons
Posted: 3/8/14 at 11:52amThat thought is comforting, PJ. I never considered you one. thanks!
Videos




