Gia (1998) from Tuna and Johnny Web (Uncle Scoopy)

Gia -- made for cable (1998) is of the "superstar has hard childhood, can't handle the pressure of success, turns to drugs, dies drug-related death" genre. This time it is Gia, the first runway superstar. Played to perfection by Angelina Jolie, the story is essentially a true one. Her lesbian lover, played by Elizabeth Mitchell also does a very good job. As a matter of fact, there was nothing wrong with the production values, the direction, the photography, or any of the performances. Everyone loves this film -- everyone except me.

The first film I saw in this genre was "The Rose." Midler did a great job on it, and after it was over, I was impressed by the achievement, but depressed over what had been depicted. Then I saw "Sid and Nancy." Again, the acting was top-notch. This one left me wondering if I really needed to see a film this graphic about such a depressing waste of two lives. 

Now, after Gia, I really don't ever need to see another film about a superstar ruined by drugs. One of the problems with these films is that the last half features an obnoxious addict ruining their life and hurting everyone who cares about them. I no longer find this entertaining. I believe drug addiction is a bad thing already, so the message is wasted on me.

Just a straightforward made-for-cable recitation of the highlights of the life of new wave superdupermodel Gia Carangi - more or less a docudrama. If you want to learn about Gia Carangi, and see Angelina Jolie with her clothes off, then you may want to check it out.

Gia was a lively rebellious girl who became a model, caught on because she was something new, got caught up in the drug scene, started a downward spiral of dependent behavior, died of AIDS-related causes. The script was co-written by Jay McInerney, author of the familiar novel "Bright Lights, Big City", and the semi-official chronicler of the high life in New York in the 70's and 80's. OK, that's good material to work with. McInerney is a literate and knowledgeable observer of that scene, and Gia lived an interesting and tragically short life, but .... unfortunately, they couldn't find any "hook" to make it truly cinematic. It is a pretty straightforward recitation of the facts.

Of course, since Gia was a real person, even the facts may hook you in, because it captures a time and a scene and a person you may be interested in. The story does have the ring of truth to it, the script presents Gia "scars and all", and Ms. Jolie is a charismatic (and daring) performer. HBO did their usual classy job of producing, and some clear, straightforward, and colorful photography created some beautiful images.

And yet, with biographical films I always ask myself this: "If it weren't about a real person would it really be interesting enough to watch?"

My answer here: maybe not ...

 ... except for the Jolie/Mitchell nude scenes, which are excellent.