Gigi

Gigi

Year: 1949

Runtime: 82 mins

Language: French

Director: Jacqueline Audry

ComedyRomance

Gilberte, a sixteen‑year‑old raised by her aunt and grandmother to become a demimondaine, isn’t ready for that life. She spends her days in lessons, teasing Mamita’s old friend, the playboy Gaston LaChaille, and watching his affairs from afar. When Gaston discards his latest mistress, Gilberte seems poised to begin career her family expects.

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Timeline & Setting – Gigi (1949)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Gigi (1949). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1900

The events unfold around the turn of the century in Paris, during a period of ornate social rituals and strict etiquette. The era is defined by formal courtship, wealth, and appearances in high society. The story traces how these times shape love, reputation, and marriage.

Location

Paris, Monte Carlo, seaside resort

Set in fin de siècle Paris at the turn of the 20th century, the story also ventures to the coast for society outings. The central locations include the elegant apartment of Mme. Alvarez in Paris and the fashionable milieu surrounding Gaston. A seaside resort and Monte Carlo appear as glamorous backdrops for social rituals and flirtations among the Parisian elite.

🎭 Elite society 🗼 Paris 🕰️ Turn of the century

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:03

Main Characters – Gigi (1949)

Meet the key characters of Gigi (1949), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Gilberte 'Gigi' Alvarez — Danièle Delorme

A sixteen-year-old ward under Mme. Alvarez who is drawn into Parisian high society. She starts with a sense of boredom about social education but undergoes a subtle transformation through etiquette lessons and social encounters. Her growth is central to the tension between youthful innocence and adult expectations.

🎀 Young 🧭 Etiquette learner 💖 Romantic lead

Gaston LaChaille — Frank Villard

Gaston is the center of Parisian society and heir to a sugar empire. Though bored with his social life, he becomes attracted to Gigi and pursues her, testing the boundaries of love and reputation. He orchestrates the end of his relationship with Liane and later contemplates marriage with Gigi.

🎩 Society 💘 Romance 💼 Wealth

Honoré LaChaille — Jean Tissier

An elderly observer who watches the events with a keen eye. He advises Gaston and supports the shift from a casual liaison to a more serious commitment. His perspective frames the social game at the heart of the story.

🧓 Elderly 🕰️ Observer 🎭 Society

Aunt Alicia — Gaby Morlay

Tante Alicia is one of Gigi’s guardians who insists on a strict, strategic education in the arts of social conduct. She, along with another elder relative, manages Gigi’s training and protects her reputation during the period of refinement.

👵 Elderly 🧭 Etiquette 🎭 Family

Liane d'Exelmans — Madeleine Rousset

Gaston’s current mistress who appears in social scenes, including a skating outing that provokes tension with Gigi. Her presence and perceived infidelity with an instructor spark jealousy and strategic maneuvering within the circle.

💃 Sophistication 💋 Romance 🕊️ Intrigue

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:03

Major Themes – Gigi (1949)

Explore the central themes of Gigi (1949), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💞 Romance

Romance in this tale is inseparable from social performance. Feelings between Gigi and Gaston develop within a framework of etiquette and reputation, challenging whether love can transcend prescribed roles. The narrative tracks how genuine affection endures amid scandal, invitations to clubs, and society’s eyes.

🧭 Etiquette

Etiquette is treated as a craft to be learned like an art form. Gigi is put through lessons in conversation, fashion, and behavior by her elders, shaping her into a refined young woman. This education drives how she is seen by Gaston and by society, and it tests the balance between propriety and personal desire.

🌸 Coming of age

Gigi’s transformation from naive schoolgirl to a mature, choosing woman anchors the story. Her education and experiences push her to question who she is and what she wants from love. The journey culminates in a decision about marriage that reflects her evolving sense of self.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:03

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Gigi Summary

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Gigi Summary

Gigi Timeline

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Gigi Timeline

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