I didn't understand
Why did Gigi's Grandma tell Gaston Gigi couldn't go out with him because she would be 'dirtied' or something? I thought she wanted them to get together?
shareThis story deals with a subculture that had very strict social rules and serious consequences for those who break them. It is fine for Gigi to be seen with Gaston as long as he is answering for her future in some way (as his mistress or his wife), but without that understanding established she may afterward be viewed as unacceptable as mistress or wife to anyone else.
"If you can't get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you'd best teach it to dance."
The grandma or "mammita" was far more devoted into raising Gigi the "right" way and to preserve her virtue. The aunt that was training her in the refined ways of a courtesan was less interested in her reputation and such. Courtesans lived in a world that would classify as being a bit "dirty" - sex with many clients/lovers/ they were kept in high style (they didn't work but received financial rewards from their lovers in houses, transportation (carriages) and servants. They were often exposed in the papers for various scandals. Mamita wanted to have Gigi be out of that world, especially when she realized that Gaston wanted her in it.
The only happy ending was to have them marry and not follow any of the courtesan codes of conduct.
Yes and no. DryToast gets it closer to the mark I think. Mammita knew and accepted (perhaps not as wholeheartedly as Aunt Alicia, but still...) that Gigi would probably become a courtesan, and most likely Gaston's after that weekend in Trouville. But engaging a mistress back then was a business transaction almost akin to marriage. Legal contracts were drawn up involving what the man would provide--a house, carriages and automobiles, money, jewelry, etc. When Gigi would go out with Gaston looking like a schoolgirl, nobody batted an eyelash since no one would think it was romantic. But her going out dressed as the beautiful young lady she had become would raise eyebrows and start gossip about her becoming Gaston's new love or mistress. As DryToast said, in that day and age there were very strict rules governing that sort of thing and if Gaston had taken her out that one time and then started romancing other women, Gigi's reputation would have been ruined. Not only would she have been branded as a loose woman, but she'd have been a loose woman discarded by Gaston Lachailles and that's what Mammita was trying to avoid. She wanted Gaston to ensure--legally and in writing--that he would answer for Gigi's future and the consequences of making her his mistress. Happily and because this is Hollywood, he instead makes her his wife.
share[deleted]
Your assesment was very accurate. Except for the last comment about this being "Hollywood--he instead makes her his wife." It seems the whole point of the movie is the transformation of Gigi from being a courtesan to being a 'soul-mate.' From Gaston being a roue using women as sexual commodoty to a person who will honor a marriage bond. When Hermione Gingold and Maurice Chevalier sing "I Remember it Well' they are both acknowledging their love for each other. Honore has found a 'soul mate' and Madame Alvarez has found that he is her 'soul mate.' Gaston has to decide whether he wants a courtesan or whether he wants a soul mate. He chooses soul mate.
shareIt was also understood that a man and his mistress were expected to remain faithful to one another for as long as the relationship lasted.
Which is why Gaston dumped Liane when he found out she was secretly canoodling with her skating instructor (although he was really looking for a good reason to dump her).
Honore must have been frightened to learn that Mme. Alvarez was his so-called "soul mate", so he instigated an affair with the soprano in order to end the affair and retain his freedom.