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 | lesbian romance | 

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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

Elizabeth Mitchell's character Linda is a fake name for real-life makeup artist (and Gia's once-girlfriend) Sandy Linter.

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Goofs

When T.J. is at the hospital to see Gia, he gets upset and slams a chair down about 3 or 4 times before putting the chair back. When he lets go of the chair, it comes to rest in such a way that you can tell that at least one of the back legs of the chair is broke. The camera cuts away to Gia and when it cuts back to T.J., the chair is back to normal height and position against the wall under the window, just like it was before he smashed it.

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Quotes

Linda: [after Gia kicks the window, shattering it] FUCK! What the fuck?
Gia Carangi: [chuckling] I like, KICKED Spiderman's ass!

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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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Alternate Versions

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

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Connections

Referenced in Talk Show the Game Show: Rare Air (2017)

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Soundtracks

Let's Dance
Written by David Bowie
Performed by David Bowie
Courtesy of RZO Publishing, Inc. o/b/o J/TE Ent. Co., LLC

User Reviews

What happens when the prettiest girl of all grows up?

A tremendous biography of a supermodel, Gia Carangi. Her beauty graced magazines profusely in the late 70's. She knew as a little girl just how attractive she was. Her short life dealt with defiance of authority, lesbianism, love/hate relationships, drug addiction and AIDS.

Angelina Jolie was excellent as Gia. Her profanity, nudity and lesbian love scenes scorch the screen. Ranking among the best on film. Also in this eye opener is Elizabeth Mitchell, Mercedes Ruehl and Faye Dunaway.

With all the violence, nudity and profanity; can not believe this is rated R instead of X. But I am not complaining. This is a tragic story about a complicated life. A very interesting bio.