Gia on DVD (1998)

RustyJames from London , 09/02/2004

If you can muster some pity for poor Gia Carangi, an early 80's supermodel who had a troubled short life, then you may enjoy this film.

Angelina Jolie appears naked... often. This does not make the script any better, but makes the film more watchable.

A perfect film to score for any music fan. Sadly the soundtrack is by far the greatest let down. No classic recordings and a poor synthesizer piece floating throughout. Feels like a made-for-TV movie.

If you are not an Angelina Jolie fan leave this alone.

  23 out of 29 people found this review helpful

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Philippa Judd from Norfolk, England , 29/07/2004

The film portrays the true story and the harsh realities of the life of model, Gia. Angelina Jolie turns out a classic and believeable performance as the main character. The film juxtaposes the life of Gia with video style interviews by the other characters. We see Gia's life unfold and hear the opinions of others independently of her. The supporting cast do a great job in evoking emotion, whether negative or positive, as does Jolie. The modelling industry is not portrayed in a flattering light and the scenes involving drugs and what these drugs are capable of, are handled realistically. Jolie makes her character gain the spectators sympathy as she portrays the overwhelming need for Gia to be loved. Overall this is a good film with fantstic performances that do not fail to evoke emotion.

  15 out of 15 people found this review helpful

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Christopher Bustin from Northampton, England , 15/05/2006

I surprised myself with this film, I thought i'd only like it for the obvious Angelina nudity. Instead I found it was a great portrayal of a tragic life. I wouldn't say go out of your way to watch it, but it is definately worth a viewing. Then again there is always the nudity as well if all else fails.

  8 out of 8 people found this review helpful

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Cath from UK , 22/04/2006

I caught this film on TV years ago, before Angelina Jolie became a superstar and was very impressed with her performance. She is brilliant as the self destructive and doomed Gia.

The film shows her ups and downs very well, although glosses over the realities of dying from AIDS - then again its not that sort of movie (ie hospital/medical tragi-drama.)

Also great support from Elizabeth Mitchell as Gia's on/off girlfriend - although you have to wonder why anyone would try to make a relationship work with such a selfish person.

Fair bit of nudity, and pretty hot, but this isn't a Hallmark Channel movie. We get the sex, drugs and rock n roll!

  5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

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A customer from Glasgow , 13/11/2008

I'll admit, I think Angelina Jolie is a very talented actress, but I don't normally enjoy any of her movies - mainly because they're the irritating and bland Hollywood blockbusters where not much talent is required, so 99% of the time I don't feel she's really putting her heart into the performanes.

Not so with Gia. It's an interesting docu-film based on a true story of a young girl who reaches the height and breadth of her career, and comes tumbling all the way down again, from a great height. It highlights the drugs and sex madness of the fashion industry. with Gia (although a fiesty and versatile character) is still only a young girl, and to be thrown head-first into that crazy world and just 17 with no support, it's a disaster waiting to happen.

I enjoyed watching Joile on screen, who in many ways could probably relate to the character she played, thereby making it such a convinving performance.

It's a tragic story, but what a story.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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MHP7VoDVGH from Surrey, England , 17/06/2005

For me there was only one scene that I liked as the rest of the film made me think about the consequences of drugs... and the pressure for models to be super stick thin, with no personality. This is based on a real person - a model brilliantly played by Angelina Jolie of the Tomb Raider series.

The one scene I talk is the love scene but a highly charged one and well worth watching again and again.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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