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Like the supermodel herself, the 1998 HBO movie Gia, which charts the spectacular early-80's rise and fall of the real-life lesbian supermodel Gia Carangi (played by Angelina Jolie), means different things to different viewers: a rags-to-riches tale, a lesbian love story, commentary on the heartlessness and fear of the first days of the AIDS epidemic, a harrowing look at the ravaging effects of long-term drug abuse, or the story of a little girl who spent her whole life trying to find someone to fill the hole left by her mother's departure. Based on many of the real-life model's journal entries, the film is shot in a documentary style that includes commentary from various people in Gia's life--photographers, friends, fashion editors, Linda, and her mother Kathleen (played by Mercedes Ruehl). When the narrative begins, Gia is sporting a punk hairdo and working at her father's diner in Philadelphia, where she is discovered by a photographer and shortly thereafter makes the leap to the big time modeling world in New York--and almost immediately begins to self-destruct as she is drawn into the drug culture that was accompanied the model lifestyle. Gia meets Linda on the set of her first big shoot, and the two women hit it off immediately despite the fact that Linda has a boyfriend and perceives herself to be very "square," and they end up sleeping together that night. Gia quickly falls in love with Linda, but her mother's departure at an early age has also left her fundamentally needy and unable to be alone. As Linda describes her, Gia is "like a puppy," saying "Love me! Love me! Love me!" all the time. Linda is not ready to give Gia what she wants in the beginning, however, and by the time she is, it's too late--Gia is already addicted to drugs. Still, they keep trying to make it work, even at the very end when Gia is dying of AIDS. Jolie's scenes with Mitchell are some of the best in the film, and their chemistry together is excellent. From Gia plaintively asking Linda to stay while standing naked in front of an elevator full of people, to Gia's attempts to steal Linda away from her boyfriend right in front of him, to Linda's ultimatum that Gia must choose between the drugs or their relationship, their scenes are alternately playful, intense, moving, and heartbreaking.Read full review
I bought this film not knowing exactly what I was going to see when I got it. Young children definitely should not be around to see this one. It's definitely for mature audiences, but I pretty much knew that when I bought this movie. That aside, it's definitely a great story and Angelina Jolie gives one of her best performances as Gia Carangi, one of America's first supermodels. Gia grew up in Philadelphia and at the age of 17, she gets a free ride to New York City to see a modeling agent. She then picks up jobs here and there modeling and then breaks through to become a supermodel, posing for the cover of Cosmopolitan, Vogue, and other fashion magazines. She has the look that all fashion execs want, and her services become a high demand. Along the way, Gia has many sexual encounters, mainly with other women. She sort of settles down with one, but drugs get in the way. Drugs keep her from keeping a steady relationship with her girlfriend, and they also threaten to ruin her modeling career. She can no longer stay sober, and fashion execs give up on her. She becomes too much of a risk. And when given the choice to be with her girlfriend or her drugs, she sadly makes the wrong choice. The movie then takes a sad twist as she seems to be getting everything in her life back together. Without giving away any more of the story, Gia is a definite must have for Angelina Jolie fans. She won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of a woman who had absolutely everything, but drugs destroyed everything that she had. I never heard of Gia Carangi before buying this DVD, but I'm glad I was able to learn more about the rise and fall of one of America's first supermodels. I definitely recommend the movie.Read full review
Yes, I'm biased because Angelina Jolie is my favorite actress. However, she always does an outstanding job of performing any role put in front of her. In this movie, she gets 1000 stars playing the part of one of the best models ever to hit the runway, Gia. Gia was a goddess, and this movie takes you through the good, the bad, and the ugly of her career and life. Despite the very sorrowful ending, this movie is one of Jolie's best.
I bought this DVD to replace a damaged copy. This was the first time that I had seen Angelina Jolie and immediately knew that she would be a star. And THAT is why I purchased this new copy.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
If you or anyone you know is not not convinced that illicit drugs will destroy you from within; this movie is a must see! HBO’s Gia chronicles the real-life rise and fall of Gia Carangi, a top fashion model during late seventies and early eightes. Gia quickly becomes a model sensation with her dark, sultry looks and a natural for taking awesome nude photos. This of course propels her at the top of the game. She’s rich, fun to be around, and she’s a regular at Studio 54. However, it comes with a horrible price. She starts a turbulent personal relationship with a female lover, and at the same time, she’s struggling with her relationship with a live-in boyfriend. Her attempts to reconcile with her mother (who abandoned Gia as a child) are complete failures. She later turns to cocaine and heroin to deal with her mounting problems. Her drug usage is widely known and unbelievably accepted, until things start to get out of control. During one scene in the movie, she nearly loses her career when she begins to nod off in heroin-induced hazes at runway shows and photo shoots. Later, while in Africa on a photo shoot, the authorities discover drugs in her possession. Her career is ultimately over. Now that her career is over, she begins to prostitute herself out to buy more drugs. After blowing all of her money on drugs, and coming to some sort of self-realization, she decides to enter a hospital. Only to later discover that she’s dying of AIDS. It’s believed that Gia was the first woman to be documented with the virus. She dies soon after, at the age of 26 and the movie ends.Read full review
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