Gia (1998)

Description[from Freebase]

Gia is a 1998 biographical HBO Original film about the life of model Gia Marie Carangi starring Angelina Jolie, Faye Dunaway, Mercedes Ruehl, and Elizabeth Mitchell. It was directed by Michael Cristofer and written by Cristofer and Jay McInerney. The original music score was composed by Terence Blanchard. Gia Carangi (Angelina Jolie) is a Philadelphia native who moves to New York City to become a fashion model and immediately catches the attention of powerful agent Wilhelmina Cooper (Faye Dunaway). Gia's attitude and beauty help her rise quickly to the forefront of the modeling industry, but her persistent loneliness after the death of Wilhelmina drives her to experiment with mood-altering drugs like cocaine. She becomes entangled in a passionate affair with Linda (Elizabeth Mitchell), a make-up artist. Their love affair first starts when both pose nude and make love to each other after a photo shoot. However, after a while Linda begins to worry about Gia's drug use and gives her an ultimatum: Gia chooses the drugs. Failed attempts at reconciliation with Linda and with her mother, Kathleen (Mercedes Ruehl), drive Gia to begin abusing heroin.

Review

Model goes bad, kills herself on drugs and the diseases that come with them. If you can muster some pity for poor Gia Carangi, a 1970s supermodel who died of AIDS at age 26, you'll enjoy Gia. Mainly, it's because of Jolie and her prodigious acting talents, even though she does come across as a bit cold. Overall, this is fine made-for-cable filmmaking, though it's hardly world-class.
by Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
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