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.

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 | lesbian | drug addiction | aids | nude photo shoot | 

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Taglines:

Too beautiful to die. Too wild to live.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for graphic depiction of drug abuse, strong sexual content, language and some violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English German French

Release Date:

31 January 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gia

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Marvin Worth Productions, Citadel Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 126 min (unrated) 117 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby (Dolby Surround)

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Around the 1:46:00 mark, when T.J. is trying to convince Kathleen to take Gia home with her from the hospital after she was diagnosed with AIDS, a woman can be heard on the PA system paging "Dr. Blair, Dr. Blair... Dr. Jay Hamilton, Dr. Jay Hamilton." This audio is from, or at least used in, the song "I Remember Now," the first track off Queensrÿche's 1988 album "Operation: Mindcrime."

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Goofs

The letter "G" that Gia carves on the receptionist's desk.

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Quotes

Linda: I'm checking to see if you need to be tweezed.
Gia Carangi: I'm tweezed.
Linda: I'm Linda.

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Crazy Credits

Closing disclaimer: This film is a dramatization based on certain facts. Some of the names have been changed and some of the events and characters have been fictionalized for dramatic purposes.

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Alternate Versions

As of 2004, a more sexually explicit version is available in VHS format only (North America).

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Highly Recommended Viewing!

Gia's a great biographic film with a credible story, great cast and great presentation. Angelina Jolie's performance here is nothing less than incredible, in fact there was a short time when I thought she's really Gia herself and that she's really troubled...that's how convincing her act is. Mercedes R makes a great support role...and a mother as well.

There are so many things to learn here, like how fashion was in the 1970's and 1980's, Gia's lesbian crave, the drugs and the AIDS. The film is so realistic, you'll really care for the people and the events that unfold.

Definitely a must-view!