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From Amazon.co.uk
There's a reason why Cindy Crawford was dubbed "Baby Gia" when she first hit the modeling scene. Indeed, Crawford, now the world's best-known supermodel, greatly resembled 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. Now most people recognise Carangi's name from this powerful HBO film that stars Golden Globe-winner Angelina Jolie, who comes by her talent honestly. Jolie is the daughter of veteran actor Jon Voight, and her own training as a model serves her well--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. --N.F. Mendoza
Product Description
TV movie based on the true life story of model Gia Marie Curangi. After leaving her troubled family background in Philadelphia for the bright lights, big city of New York, Gia (Angelina Jolie) is soon picked up as a model and immerses herself in the heady world of fashion and glamour as a distraction from her personal demons. But when her best friend and surrogate mother-figure Wilhemina Cooper (Faye Dunaway) dies, Gia is once again left unsupported and falls into heavy drug use, a move that will eventually destroy her at the age of 26.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As a big, big Angelina Jolie fan for many years, Gia was the one film I was still to see as it has not been shown on UK television and was never in cinemas. Before I saw it, I thought it was going to be your typical cheesey TV Movie that gets shown on Channel Five at 3.30pm. However, it blew me away and confirmed what a fantastic actress Angelina really is.It tells the story of tragic supermodel Gia Marie Carangi and her battles against drugs and later HIV. The part of Gia is a tough part to play but Jolie handles it so well - indeed I think only Angelina could have played this part (just as only she could play Lara Croft). As with all of her films, every time Jolie appears on screen she lights it up and is always a pleasure to watch. Her performance in Gia reduced me - a fully grown 6'3 man - to tears! It's a long film at two hours but it flies by. I have every other Jolie film on DVD and this is a worthy addition to the back catalogue. If you are a Jolie fan, I'm sure you're going to buy this anyway. However, if you are still to discover exactly what it is that makes people praise Jolie,snap this up at a bargain price. You won't regret it and you'll soon be an avid Angelina follower! ..
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By pnut
Format:VHS Tape
I must admit here and now that I wasn't a huge fan of Angelina Jolie before I saw this movie. I had seen "The Bone Collector" and thought it good...but quite frankly I had turned my back on her other role choices such as Lara Croft. However the theme behind "Gia" caught my eye and I took a peek....I'm glad I did.
Jolie is quite simply brilliant in this movie. No one else could have played the role of the supermodel who epitomised the slogan, "Too beautiful to die, too wild to live". With her stunning looks, background in modelling and rebellious charm, the line between actress and character, reality and fiction is lost and forgotten in this movie....a symbol of good directing, a fantastic story line and above average casting.
The movie moves from when Gia was first discovered at the age of 17, along the route of cameras, relationships, drug abuse and her eventual death in 1986 attributed to H.I.V. A sample of a rare mainstream movie that places a lesbian relationship at the heart of it's storyline...and paints it in an acceptable, artistic and moving tone.
Acting credit must also be given to the likes of Kylie Travis, Mercedes Ruehl, Faye Dunaway, and Elizabeth Mitchell of recent BBC feature "Man and Boy" and "ER" fame. Mitchell plays alongside Jolie as Linda, her make-up artist and love interest. Ironically, for me, it is Mitchell who delivers the most powerful line of the movie, "....this or me?"; once delivered the lump in the throat developed and I was glad I had taken a peek at "Gia".
All in all an excellent movie that treats a very senstive subject with great respect. Through it you get a sense of Gia Curangi the person...something that the 1980's public and fashion industry failed to acknowledge.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Gia is not a film for the faint hearted, it features the pain of a drug fueled existence and a life of loneliness.
For those willing to watch from beginning to end will share all the emotion of Gia (played brilliantly by Angelina Jolie)
The film is partly set out as documentary featuring characters surrounding Gias short life. Their varied opinions and thoughts help to sculpture Gia as a person as you watch her journey unfold.
I do recommend this film to Angelina Jolie fans but also anyone interested in a story about strength. Gia Marie Curangi was a real person and what from what I've read of this fascinating womans true struggle this depiction of her life is fairly true to life.
For those willing to watch from beginning to end will share all the emotion of Gia (played brilliantly by Angelina Jolie)
The film is partly set out as documentary featuring characters surrounding Gias short life. Their varied opinions and thoughts help to sculpture Gia as a person as you watch her journey unfold.
I do recommend this film to Angelina Jolie fans but also anyone interested in a story about strength. Gia Marie Curangi was a real person and what from what I've read of this fascinating womans true struggle this depiction of her life is fairly true to life.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By I. Hall
Format:DVD
I recently watched this and having not heard anything about the supermodel Gia Carangi was instantly blown away by Angelina Jolie's portrayal as Gia. You can see why Angelina won an Oscar a year later in her other great film Girl Interrupted. This sad and moving true story tries to explain why Gia did what she did. I won't spoil this for you but, this is not for the faint-hearted. I thought all the acting was great as was Faye Dunaway as Gia's Agent. Angelina's truly spellbinding in this film. Great film all round.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
Simply, this is a wonderful film. Beautifully acted and directed. Angelina Jolie shines in this dark sad story of the first big supermodel. Brilliant!!! :)
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Now, I am a fan of Angelina's. One might say a die-hard fan of hers. I even bought 'The Good Sheppherd' which was a cinematic train wreck. But having found 'Gia' in a little second-hand DVD shop, I thought I'd add to my collection and was genuinely surprised by how moved I was by Angelina as the young and painfully innocent Gia. This film has become the one that I lend people to remedy their 'Brangeina' hatred and to give Angelina some redemption for some of her less well-chosen roles. The film starts with a young, carefree girl who has a happy but sheltered life working in her dad's restaurant. Spotted by a talent scout, she is swept into a world that she is too young and naieve in many ways to be in, where she is loved and loathed in equal measure. If you thought being a model was all easy living, partying and sex, you were right... on the surface. But this true story shows you the darker underbelly of life in the spotlight and how this beautiful young woman was chewed up and spat out by the very industry which promised her the world.
The plot includes a very sad portrayal of Gia's turbulent and often obsessive relationship with women- her mother, her girlfriend, her mentor in the industry; and with the drugs that would ultimately claim her young life. And you can't help simultaniously wanting to protect her, slap her, and be with her. This film will really change your mind about Angelina if you don't particularly rate her, and if you like a film to make you think then you should watch this!
The plot includes a very sad portrayal of Gia's turbulent and often obsessive relationship with women- her mother, her girlfriend, her mentor in the industry; and with the drugs that would ultimately claim her young life. And you can't help simultaniously wanting to protect her, slap her, and be with her. This film will really change your mind about Angelina if you don't particularly rate her, and if you like a film to make you think then you should watch this!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
No subtitles with this DVD
In the details given, it said nothing about this film having no subtitles. I took a chance and purchased the product anyway, assuming that most DVDs have this near-essential... Read more
Published 18 days ago by Rowe With The Flow
5.0 out of 5 stars
good film
Thus is a good film, would recomend it to any one who is interested on how the fashion industry works and the pitfalls of being a model
Published 3 months ago by stacey
1.0 out of 5 stars
does not work
I am really disappointed, was looking forward to watching film. It does not play on pc or dvd player. Waste of money.
Would like money back
Would like money back
Published 7 months ago by D.B
5.0 out of 5 stars
Jolie's Gia a Gem
Her exploits with Billy Bob Thornton, her image as marriage wrecker in the split between Brad Pitt and Jennifer Anniston and her very public adoption of a United Nations league of... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mark Smit
4.0 out of 5 stars
a models fail from grace
Entertaining biopic and Jolie suprised me by actually being rather good. Definately one step up from the made for tv tosh I imagined this was going to be. Read more
Published 19 months ago by cartoon
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dark and mysterious
I had heard a lot about this movie and I wasn't disappointed. Angelina Jolie's performance is superb. I don't think there is anyone who could have played it better. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Anna Wilkinson
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed
Even though I had never heard of this film I bought the dvd but it is, in fact, not a very interesting film. In this case its lack of fame was justified....
Published 21 months ago by jema
4.0 out of 5 stars
angelina jolie
Acting is superb from Angelina - must admit I had never heard of Gia before - but it was a very moiving performance. Worth watching for that.
Published on 12 May 2011 by S. Holmes
3.0 out of 5 stars
Gia. The Review
Had missed the event about which the film revolves; however, thought Ms Jolie's performance,into whice she put herself body & soul was by far her best acting to date!
Published on 9 May 2011 by James
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well worth watching
Really enjoyed this film which was very taste fully done, showing what really goes on behind the glamour of the modelling world
Published on 9 Mar 2011 by Babs
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