Gia (1998)

The story of the life of Gia Carangi, a top fashion model from the late 1970s, from her meteoric rise to the forefront of the modeling industry, to her untimely death from AIDS at age 26.

Director:

Michael Cristofer

Writers:

Jay McInerney, Michael Cristofer

Stars:

Angelina Jolie, Faye Dunaway, Elizabeth Mitchell

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 8 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Angelina Jolie	...	Gia Carangi
Elizabeth Mitchell	...	Linda
Eric Michael Cole	...	T.J.
Kylie Travis	...	Stephanie - Model
Louis Giambalvo	...	Joe Carangi
John Considine	...	Bruce Cooper
Scott Cohen	...	Mike Mansfield
Edmund Genest	...	Francesco (as Edmond Genest)
Mercedes Ruehl	...	Kathleen Carangi
Faye Dunaway	...	Wilhelmina Cooper
Holly Baker	...	Emergency Room Nurse
Joe Basile	...	Disco Doorman Tony
Rick Batalla	...	Hispanic Stylist Phillipe
Lombardo Boyar	...	Hood #2
Jullian Dulce Vida	...	Hood #3 (as Julio Dolce Vita)

Storyline

When Gia Carangi first arrives in New York City, she's a beautiful drop-out from Philadelphia brashly bursting through the closed doors of top modeling agent Wilhelmina Cooper. Gia's electrifying personality and potent sexuality soon find their way onto the covers of America's top-selling magazines. But being loved by the world isn't the same as being love by one - an unfulfilled desire that can take Gia dangerous places. And for a beautiful woman, one slip could lead to an untimely and terrifying downfall.

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Plot Keywords:

model | death | fashion | modeling | aids | 

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Taglines:

Based on the tragic life and times of America's first supermodel.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

NC-17

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German French

Release Date:

31 January 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Anatomie d'un top model

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Pictures, Marvin Worth Productions, Citadel Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 126 min (unrated) 117 min (dvd release)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In August 2014, Mr. Skin placed Angelina Jolie's nudity from the movie at #3 on their list of "The Top 150 Greatest Celebrity Nude Scenes of All Time".

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Goofs

When Gia kicks her mother out of her apartment, she throws her bags all over the hallway. Her mother assembles some bags by the elevator and waits. In the next shot, the bags are rearranged, and her mother is holding some of them, though only a few seconds have passed.

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Quotes

Wilhemina Cooper: You practically gave my receptionist a coronary.

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Crazy Credits

Film ends with the following poem: ...heaven on earth back again into under far in between through it in it and above... From the journal of GIA MARIE CARANGI 1960-1986

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Connections

Featured in The 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1999)

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Soundtracks

Lose Control
Written by Brad Hatfield and Crit Harmon
Performed by Melanie Wilson
Courtesy of Barbara L. Jordan/Heavy Hitters

User Reviews

Haunting portrayal

I rented the unrated version from NetFlix.

Gia is a powerful movie. It is two stories intertwined into one: the life of a confused teenage girl, looking for love and acceptance, and of the modeling industry and its effect on the emotions and egos (no matter how large or small) of those in front of the camera. As a woman who worked within the industry several years ago, I could relate to the confusion that Gia felt.

Angelina Jolie gave the viewer an excellent portrayal of a lonely teenage girl who was trapped inside an adult woman, her only comfort being her lover and later, her drugs.

The performances of the actresses were on target; the message was clear. A haunting movie worth purchasing.