So anyone ever wonder....?

I do think the same thing sometimes but I have seen a few rare marriages that have endured... and endured really well. And they are all based on mutual respect and friendship which Gaston and Gigi have for each other. So yes... to answer you question. I think they have a pretty good shot of making it a lasting and happy marriage if their personalities and the context of the movie are anything to go by. I think a lot of scenes and dialogues are symbolic in this movie and you have to read the undertones to really enjoy and understand it fully.


I saw this movie recently after a long time and am quite surprised at the depth and subtlety of the script.

I think the point of his boredom with everything was to show how the whole playboy lifestyle was not really for him. He didn't enjoy it and was actually reacting to the meaninglessness of his relationships and people around him. He was basically doing what was expected of a man of his status and keeping up appearances under the the guidance of a superficial but well meaning uncle. His friendship with Gigi and her grandmother was different because he sought out their company as a person not as the rich playboy. And I am also inclined to think that his main attraction to Mamita's home was being able to spend time with Gigi. They were always honest and frank with each other which was refreshing for him. And he has a good time with her in all the same places which means being with her her allows him to finally enjoy himself.

I think the most simple understanding of the movie is that in a superficial and fake society, and most of us get caught up in the everyday, meaningless things - and remain unsatisfied and unhappy. But then when we find those rare people that really "get you" and you can let your guard down with, you will strive to protect what you can of that. That's what Gaston realized when he went out to dinner with Gigi. It was so symbolic since before then their interactions were mostly in her home - where it was safe, warm and carefree. When he took her to that fancy restaurant, he was outing her to the world. He saw that making her into his mistress would exactly ruin the truth and innocence of their relationship because he was making her enter that fake world and changing their friendship and love into a business transaction. That's why he was embarrassed to speak to her about the "arrangements" directly. With Gigi he always wanted to be tender and loving and I think his embarrassment came from guilt for knowing what he was doing to her even if he didn't understand it himself. But he also did not understand how much he loved her and what his actions were going to do to "them" at that point.


The rough way in which Gaston pulls Gigi out of the restaurant in the end is the symbolic gesture where he is saving her from a fate that he, himself had so charmingly conceived for her in cahoots with her guardians. The sudden proposal is also a symbol of his decision to marry the girl who is so decidedly beneath him - she is possibly an illegitimately child born in a poor family of known courtesans, for whom his original offer was sufficient- and to which she has agreed. He is finally rebelling and breaking the expected norms - that used to bore him to death, by doing what he really wants and what would make him and Gigi happy. So we as an audience are not supposed to need any more symbols other than marriage as the ultimate indicator of their life long happiness as a couple. Cheesy I know.... but it was made in 1958 - and actually set in 1900 so I'm alright with it.


By the way, my favorite modern day fairytale is the romance in Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. I'm always left with mixed emotions after watching those two movies and they really test whether your a cynic or a romantic.


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If you ask me, the final scene looks like it takes place some time after their date at Maxim's. Gigi is noticeably more comfortable and confident, and accepted (and therefore established) in Gaston's society. She's also no longer clinging to him like she did at Maxim's.

I'd say that--along with everything the other 2 commentators have pointed out-- is a very strong indication that Gigi and Gaston will have a long, comfortable, and happy marriage.

Piggy-backing on the second and third wonderfully detailed comments, the main hint/giveaway that his life with Gigi will, perhaps, be different is in the wonderful monologue that Gigi reveals herself: at their 'business' meeting, she surprises everyone- Gaston, most of all- by revealing that she knows exactly what is expected of her, and doesn't want to do it because SHE KNOWS he'll become tired of her in time, just like he did of all the other women that he probably told her about during their quiet teas, dinners, and card games. She knows him as a family friend, they have no secrets or pretense around each other, thus why would she suddenly want to become become his mistress, no matter how good the benefits?? She only changes her mind when she later says, "I'd rather be miserable with you than without you." And when they're at Maxim's, suddely HE is miserable, too, and realizes what he's doing. A wonderful final act of a film.

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The implication here, and I think there's something to be said for it, is that Gaston's love for Gigi is based on something real, their relationship has been one of love and mutual respect for years, and this type of love is new to him, and he will devout himself to her.

Otherwise there's really no point in making the film.

Gaston is transformed, i.e, redeemed by his pure love of Gigi.

I think they'll last the reason why Gaston is drawn to Gigi and Mamita's house is because they provide escape from the life he knows and has come to be bored from. With Gigi there is no perversion, there can be no faithlessness because Gigi to an extent is still an innocent not stupid, mind you she knows how things work and what she's being prepared for but she is also open to the idea of love and has a childlike joy in simple things such as the card games and chocolates unlike Gaston's mistresses who's role in the society they are in, need to be pampered extravagantly.

Also Gigi is I'd argue one of if not the only person who allows Gaston to be himself. She knows his temper tantrums if he doesn't get his way, his competitiveness but she also knows his charm and goodness which is why she can talk to him as she does. He doesn't say it in this film but in the older French adaptation of the Colette novel he calls her is best friend and I think it works in this film too. She's his only real friend and it's partially cause of that he has affection for her and naturally this blossoms into a deep love to the point where he gives up the lifestyle he knows in order to be a better man for her.

THAT to me is not the mark of someone who is going to get bored in a few months. Plus no doubt Gigi's youth and energy will keep him on his toes.

beauty freedom love truth