Review of Gia (1998) by Shawn A — 11 May 2008

The role of Gia Carangi seemed tailormade for Angelina Jolie. I haven't seen the actress pour in this much passion and entirety in any character in any other movie. You feel every turn in the downward spiral that became of Gia's tragic life -- her spunk, her shot to fame as a model, the death of her mentor, the superficiality that is her career, her intense affair with Linda, her tumultuous relationship with her mother, her drug addiction, and her eventual battle with AIDS -- and all that is highlighted by Angelina Jolie's acting and her naturally commanding screen presence. If you are her fan, you would certainly not want to miss this movie.

The direction and editing were top class. The photoshoot sequences were mindblowing -- stylish and sleek. The use of a trippy style of camerawork was suggestive of Gia's high.

The characters in Gia's life were as varied and ambiguous as her experiences. We really see how deeply Gia is affected by the way different people abandon her for one reason or the other. What is really interesting is how most of the characters are not plain villainous. They have their weaknesses, and they do run away when Gia needs them most, but you can't help sympathizing with their plight. Like the photographer in the movie mentions, and I paraphrase, that this isn't heaven and we are allowed to be non-perfect.

Elizabeth Mitchell's acting was good at times, and okay in others. On a purely shallow note, the lovemaking scenes between them was so hot. Aesthetic direction and an amazing chemistry ensured sparks on my screen.