Gia is a 1998 American biographical drama television film about the life and times of one of the first supermodels, Gia Carangi. The film stars Angelina Jolie as Gia and Faye Dunaway as Wilhelmina Cooper, with 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. The film premiered on January 31, 1998 on HBO.
| Gia | |
|---|---|
.png) DVD cover | |
| Written by | Jay McInerney Michael Cristofer |
| Directed by | Michael Cristofer |
| Starring | Angelina Jolie Faye Dunaway Mercedes Ruehl Elizabeth Mitchell |
| Composer | Terence Blanchard |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | James D. Brubaker |
| Cinematography | Rodrigo García |
| Editor | Eric A. Sears |
| Running time | 126 minutes |
| Production company | HBO Pictures |
| Original release | |
| Network | HBO |
| Release | January 31, 1998 |
Plot
editGia Carangi is a Philadelphia native who moves to New York City to become a fashion model and immediately catches the attention of the powerful agent Wilhelmina Cooper. Gia's attitude and beauty help her rise quickly to the forefront of the modeling industry. However, her persistent loneliness, especially after the death of Wilhelmina, drives her to use mood-altering drugs such as cocaine and heroin.
She becomes entangled in a passionate affair with Linda, a make-up artist. Their love affair first starts when both pose nude for a photo shoot and make love afterward. Gia tries to get clean and begins taking methadone. However, Gia eventually starts using again and Linda gives her an ultimatum. Gia chooses the drugs.
Failed attempts at reconciliation with Linda and with her mother, Kathleen, drive Gia back to heroin. Although she is eventually able to break her drug habit after much effort, she has already contracted HIV from intravenous drug use, which has progressed to AIDS. She spends the remainder of her life in the hospital.
Cast
edit- Angelina Jolie as Gia Carangi
- Mila Kunis as Young Gia Carangi
- Faye Dunaway as Wilhelmina Cooper
- Mercedes Ruehl as Kathleen Carangi, Gia's Estranged Mother
- Elizabeth Mitchell as Linda
- Scott Cohen as Mike Mansfield
- Kylie Travis as Stephanie
- Edmund Genest as Francesco Scavullo
- Alexander Enberg as Chris von Wangenheim
- Louis Giambalvo as Joseph Carangi
- Eric Michael Cole as T.J.
- John Considine as Bruce Cooper
- James Haven as Young Man On Sansom Street
- Rick Batalla as Phillipe
- Brian Donovan as Junkie At Shooting Gallery
- Tricia O'Neil as Vogue Editor
- Sam Pancake as Francesco Stylist #1
- Adina Porter as Girl At Group Therapy
- Michael E. Rodgers as Red Dress Photographer
- Nick Spano as Michael
- Jason Stuart as Booker #2
Reception
editCritical reception
editGia received positive reviews from critics. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 16 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.0/10.[1] Kalamazoo Gazette commented: "Jolie gives it her all in a thoroughly uninhibited and highly effective portrait of a woman living from thrill to thrill."[2] Christopher Null of Filmcritic.com gave the film 3 out of 5 stars.[3] Conversely, Film Freak Central gave the film only 1.5 out of 4 stars and commented: "Gia isn't hagiography, I'll give it that, but it is reductive to a fault."[4]
Awards and nominations
editNotes
edit- ^ Tied with Miranda Richardson for Merlin.
- ^ Tied with Camryn Manheim for The Practice.
References
edit- ^ "Gia - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ^ Sanford, James (2003). "James Sanford reviews Gia". Kalamazoo Gazette. Archived from the original on 19 October 2006. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- ^ Null, Christopher (1998). "Gia Movie Review, DVD Release". Filmcritic.com. Archived from the original on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- ^ Chambers, Bill (19 August 2004). "Taking Lives (unrated director's cut - widescreen DVD + Blu-ray Disc) + Gia (unrated DVD)". Film Freak Central. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
- ^ "1998 Artios Awards". www.castingsociety.com. November 4, 1998. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- ^ "2nd Annual TV Awards (1997-98)". Online Film & Television Association. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- ^ "Outfest: Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival 1998". MUBI. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- ^ "Gia". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- ^ "Nominees/Winners". IMDb. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ "3rd Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards". Archived from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
- ^ "The 1st Costume Designers Guild Awards (1999)". Costume Designers Guild. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- ^ "51st DGA Awards". Directors Guild of America Awards. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ "Past Winners of the GLAAD Media Awards". GLAAD. Archived from the original on June 28, 2001. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
- ^ "Gia – Golden Globes". Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- ^ "International Press Academy website – 1999 3rd Annual SATELLITE Awards". Archived from the original on 1 February 2008.
- ^ "The 5th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Archived from the original on November 1, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
- ^ "WGA Awards 1999". Writers Guild of America Awards. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
