Gia [1998] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Gia is a made-for-TV HBO film that stars Angelina Jolie as supermodel model Gia Carangi, who went from high school to the cover of British Vogue in less than two years. Carangi appeared on many more covers of Vogue (French, British, Italian, and American) and Cosmopolitan before dying of complications from AIDs (she was an IV heroin user) in 1986. Jolie comes by her talent honestly: she’s the daughter of veteran actor Jon Voight, and her own training as a model serves her well here–she has the moves. Throughout, she’s heartbreaking–as no doubt the real Carangi was–effective, and stunning. With good source material (Stephen Fried’s A Thing of Beauty: The Tragedy of Supermodel Gia), Jolie’s stunning performance, and strong directing by Michael Cristofer, the movie goes beyond the merely sensational. The script was co-written by Cristofer and novelist Jay McInerney, whose Bright Lights, Big City covers similar territory. As a cautionary tale, Gia works. But to watch Jolie in her character’s tragic self-destruction is utterly compelling. –NF Mendoza, Amazon.com
Customer Review: Not earth shattering but watchable
I bought this as all the girls talk about it, and as far as lesbian films go its alright, but some scenes are laughable. Gia and the make-up girl who so easily agreed to fling herself naked at a wire fence was a real howler, and surely for the sake of titilation. I thought a lot of the acting/dialogue was quite weak, but it is watchable, and the film improves through the second half. Dont expect wonders but with a glass of wine on a wednesday night quite enjoyable.
Customer Review: Well worth watching…
An excellent film, Angelina Jolie gives an breathtaking performance as the late Gia Carangi, a supermodel who meets her end as an early AIDS victim. The film documents the life of Gia (though with some artistic license) from childhood through her journey from obscurity to one of the most sought after models of the late 70s/early 80s, her battle with emotional instability, drugs, a fall from grace, rehab and her death. Jolie brings amazing depth to the character, revealing her as fragile and vulnerable and bringing out a softness that defies Gia’s tough exterior. The story is heart-wrenching and Jolie portrays Gia as someone you can’t help but like despite everything, a character who you laugh with and cry for. The depiction of the drug-fuelled and care-free era in which it is set is compelling to watch, as is Gia’s (fictional) relationship with Linda. All in all a highly recommended film with a heartfelt and unforgettable performance from Jolie (who unfortunately has yet to repeat such amazing acting since Gia and Girl, Interrupted).
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