"Thank heaven for little girls."
synopsis
In turn-of-the-century Paris, a young girl is groomed by her grandmother and aunt to become a sophisticated courtesan, only to complicate matters when genuine affection interferes with the expected arrangement.
pairs well with ...
mini-review
Lavish and polished, with Lerner and Loewe melodies that linger, but dramatically it’s slight and morally dated. The performances charm, especially Maurice Chevalier, yet the story’s central premise feels increasingly uncomfortable through modern eyes. It’s elegant, but not especially urgent.
A nostalgic mood and a willingness to view Belle Époque Paris through gauze.
Absurdist's Corner
An entire social structure calmly revolves around training a teenager to become a wealthy man’s “arrangement,” yet the tone remains champagne-light. The disconnect between premise and breezy presentation is… notable.
fun facts
It won nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Vincente Minnelli directed with painterly precision.
Leslie Caron had previously starred in An American in Paris.
The film marked one of the last major MGM musicals of its era.