Gia (1998)
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The story
Gia 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.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Gia 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 have sex 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.
- First release year
- 1998
- Runtime (minutes)
- 126
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Michael Cristofer
- Writers
- Michael Cristofer · writer; Jay McInerney · writer
- Cast and characters
- Angelina Jolie · Gia; Faye Dunaway · Wilhelmina Cooper; Mercedes Ruehl; Elizabeth Mitchell
- Genres
- biographical drama; television film
- Themes
- drug addiction; loneliness; HIV/AIDS
- Tone and mood
- uninhibited; biographical
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; LGBTQ-related; drug addiction; fashion industry
- Content notes
- HIV/AIDS
- Reception
- Gia received positive reviews from critics.
- Reported review scores
- Filmcritic.com · score: 3 · scale: 5; Film Freak Central · score: 1.5 · scale: 4
- Production trivia
- The film was produced on a budget of $7.9 million.; The film was released on HBO.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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