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Angelina Jolie, Elizabeth Mitchell, Faye Dunaway, Mercedes Ruehl, Kylie Travis ... see more see more... , Eric Michael Cole , Louis Giambalvo , John Considine , Scott Cohen , Edmond Genest , Rick Batalla , Holly Sampson

Novelist Jay McInerney and playwright Michael Cristofer (who also made his feature film directorial debut) collaborated on the script for this bio of doomed supermodel Gia Carangi. In a star-making pe... read more read more...rformance, Angelina Jolie stars as Gia, a gorgeous Philadelphia native who arrives in New York City to become a model and immediately makes an impression on high-powered agent Wilhelmina Cooper (Faye Dunaway). Gia's fierce good looks make her a star, as does her willingness to pose nude. Gia becomes entangled in a passionate affair with a photographer's assistant, Linda (Elizabeth Mithcell), but Linda is more conflicted about her bisexuality, driving Gia away and fueling the model's craving for mood-altering drugs. Failed attempts at reconciliation with both Linda and her mother Kathleen (Mercedes Ruehl) drive Gia further over the edge from cocaine to heroin, her emaciated body and sunken eyes becoming the catalyst for the "heroin chic" look. Although Gia is eventually able to kick her powerful habit, she learns that an infected needle has resulted in her contracting the AIDS virus. For the second year in a row, a made-for-TV film resulted in an Emmy nomination and a Golden Globe victory for Jolie (the first was George Wallace, 1998). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Flixster Users

80% liked it

51,552 ratings

Critics

92% liked it

13 critics

R, 2 hr.

Directed by: Michael Cristofer

Release Date: November 26, 1997

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DVD Release Date: August 24, 2004

Stats: 3,109 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,109)

  • TheDudeLebowski65
    May 25, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Well made film on the supermodel Gia Carangi. Well acted by Angelina Jolie, this film is the tragic story of one of America's first supermodels. The film is a good drama film. The cast here are good and they all deliver solid performances. The film could have been a lot better, a... read morend I find that there were a few scenes where the material didn't work. However due to the good cast, it makes this film that much more interesting despite the lack of effective material. The film is good for what it is, the performances saves this film from being an utter failure. Like I said, it could have been a stunning film with a great story, but there's just something missing from it to truly make it stand out, and make it a memorable biopic. Considering the life that Gia had, you'd expect something great with this film. There's something missing from the films plot to really make it stand out, and it's a good film, but never anything great. If you're looking for one of Angelina Jolie's better performances, this film is it. For a biopic, Gia is one that could have been a lot better, but in any case, is good to watch. Don't expect anything great with this one. Expect a good film that should have been better. If it wasn't for the cast, I think this film would certainly have failed. This is one of those biopics that should have turned out better than it actually did. Still worth watching for one of Angelina Jolie's better performances.
  • 76Majikat
    March 25, 2011
    76Majikat
    Not a story I expected to find fascinating and yet this true story of Gia, the first Super Model, a diva, drug addict and true wild child made for an interesting tale. A short life, that covered so much.

    Also one of Angelina Jolie's earlier films, which is refreshing because ... read moreit's back when she wasn't such a diva herself and a much more natural fiesty Actress.
  • ythelastman89
    January 18, 2010
    ythelastman89
    One of Angelina Jolie's first performances and still one of her best. It is such a tragic story, but mainly due to the fact that you completely fall in love with Gia. The downfall is so sad to watch and highly effective. A great biopic and one of the best made-for-tv movies ever.
  • ScoopOnline
    December 22, 2009
    ScoopOnline
    Everyone Saw The Beauty, No One Saw The Pain!
  • matertenebraum
    July 24, 2009
    matertenebraum
    Quite simply put, it's one of the best films I have ever seen. Putting aside the facts that some of it is not quite accurate, it is still brilliant.

    I'd heard of this film some years ago but never had the opportunity to see it. But recently, I decided to give it a shot, not know... read moreing I was about to be put through one hell of a ride.

    It's probably Angelina Jolie's best acting to date - I've always liked her anyway, but in this she really shines, vividly showing us the wild and tragic life of Gia in a way that I doubt very, very few actresses of today could carry out. She flies from mood to mood with an honesty so passionate that it is hard to believe Jolie herself isn't truly Gia.

    Elizabeth Mitchell plays her off-and-on lover, Linda with such care and understanding that you want to fall in love with Linda as well as Gia. The chemistry between the two of them is incredible. Mitchell is, very unfortunately, one of the most underrated actresses around. Critics and fans alike are right to wonder why on earth this woman hasn't won some kind of award for her pure talent.

    Put these two together and you get a recipe for one of the most well-acted films of the last fifteen years. And adding Faye Dunaway to the mix... well, what can I say.

    The film follows the tragic life of Gia Carangi, America's first supermodel. From beginning to end you are assaulted with anger, sadness, happiness, and a growing sense of falling and dread so intense that after it finished I let out a breath as if I had been holding it the entire way through the film. For days afterwards the film kept itself firmly in my mind until I just had to watch it again and put myself through the almost harrowing experience that it is.

    Harrowing, yes. It is a film that can be hard to watch. But it is worth it.
  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    April 25, 2009
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "This is life... not heaven... you don't have to be perfect."

    Movie based on the life of Gia Carangi, a top fashion model from the late 1970s.

    REVIEW

    This film is a poignant story about Gia Carangi, ... read moreAmerica's first supermodel, who rose to fame in her late teens and died of AIDS at the age of 26. Angelina Jolie is incredible as Gia. She never holds back, letting emotions fill the screen in every frame. The scene with Gia and her mother in the apartment, as well as the rehab and hospital scenes, are devastating.

    The supporting cast is very good, too, particularly Elizabeth Mitchell as Gia's lover Linda, who can only watch helplessly as her girlfriend descends into drug hell, and Mercedes Ruehl as Gia's mother Kathleen, whose influence returns when it is too late. Excellent drama, made even more tragic by the fact that it is true.
  • JennifairyW
    September 22, 2008
    JennifairyW
    "You scare the shit out of people so they can't see how scared you are."

    "This is life, not heaven. You don't have to be perfect."

    Knew I loved Angelina after this movie. ♥


    ... read more" target="_blank">Photobucket
  • sanjurosamurai
    July 8, 2008
    sanjurosamurai
    angelina jolie was excellent and the soundtrack was solid, but everything else about this film was terrible. it was trashy, oddly directed, and incredibly boring. not worth the watch.
  • superclerk25
    October 4, 2007
    superclerk25
    Eh. This chick spirals out of control. Lots of nudity and drug use.
  • hoganshero
    September 4, 2007
    hoganshero
    Raw and Sexy look at the descructive loves and life of a gorgeous model on drugs. Based on a true story. And Angelina does superb.

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Critic Reviews

Clint Morris
May 6, 2005
Clint Morris, Moviehole

Jolie gives a sensational performance in this tight, but tragic biopic

Bill Chambers
August 19, 2004
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central

Gia isn't hagiography, I'll give it that, but it is reductive to a fault Full Review

Michael Dequina
January 5, 2004
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

No review available

James Sanford
July 3, 2003
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

Jolie gives it her all in a thoroughly uninhibited and highly effective portrait of a woman living from thrill to thrill. Full Review

Michael Clawson
August 1, 2002
Michael Clawson, West Valley View

Teasing, but hard-to-watch, biography of a famed model struck down by '80s extravagance. NOTE: Angelina Jolie gets naked ... a lot. Hooray!

Emanuel Levy
June 23, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Jon Niccum
May 18, 2005
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World

No review available.

Sarah Chauncey
June 10, 2004
Sarah Chauncey, Reel.com

No review available.

Dragan Antulov
May 12, 2004
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews

No review available.

John Esther
August 21, 2003
John Esther, Pasadena Weekly

No review available.

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  • Which actress played the role of Supermodel Gia?  Answer »
  • In which movie did Angelina Jolie play a Drug Addict/Model?  Answer »
  • What Angelina Jolie movie is based on the true story of a top fashion model from the late 1970's?  Answer »
  • Angelina Jolie played a lesbian model in this film  Answer »
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