Gia DVD > Reviews > Too Beautiful To Die, Too Wild To Live

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Standard
How does it compare to similar films?	Good

Advantages:	Angelina Jolie
Disadvantages:	Might not be your type of film

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I remember when I first became an avid fan of Miss Angelina Jolie, I learnt about this powerful, true story called Gia which Jolie had filmed back in 1997 (before she won her Oscar for Girl, Interrupted and became a house-hold name) and apparently this film was her most moving performance AND her most x-rated film Jolie had participated in a film. So, when I finally found this film (it's hard to come by and I almost fainted when I saw this copy at my local independent video shop) I was dying with intrigue to see if all the hype was true...is this Jolie's best film to date? Does she *really* romp naked with another woman?

BACKGROUND

Before I start this opinion I would like to explain to you guys who Gia is, seeing as none of you guys have probably ever heard of her (I sure as hell didn't have a clue!). Gia Marie Curangi was the first famous supermodel to make it in America, she became a star in her own right: she had attitude, she had the looks, she had her freedom, she lived life on the edge...but along those lines, she also had trouble: troubled relationships with both her mother and girlfriend, insecurity - which led to her biggist problem - drugs. Gia died from AIDS in 1986 which was attributed to her drug taking.

THE FILM

*CONTAINS DETAILED INFORMATION*

The films starts with Gia (played by Jolie, of course!) at aged 17 working in her Father's restaurant. This is when we see Jolie as you have never seen her: her hair is spiky, short, she looks fierce, intense, mixed in with a deadly flirtatious look. Jolie looks so different to all her previous characters. We soon are led across at what Gia was like: wild, passionate at everything she does, a flirt, a don't give a toss attitude, free spirited and wild. We then see Gia moving to New York, where she is to have her very first big model interview. In this one scene we see Gia arrive at the reception, she isn't dressed smart or anything (leather jacket, spiky hair, etc) and the receptionist looks her up and down and askes her who the hell she thinks she is, prompting Gia to take out her knife and scratch on the desk: GIA. This, apparently, really did happen.

Anyway, Gia gets the model job and we soon see this incredible attraction between Gia and her make-up artist, Linda, who are both flirting with each other like crazy. This is when the film starts to hot up, we see Gia being asked to stay on for some 'x rated' pictures and Gia replies in a sudective manner: "Only if Linda stays on with me." So, this is when we get to see Jolie naked (yes, really) with 'Linda' and I won't say anymore, but the scenes that follow, are very hot (yes, both women end up in bed together and yes everything is very detailed and up-close). But, Linda has a boyfriend which leaves Gia heart-broken...uh-oh.

So, the film starts to move fast, we see Gia hit the big time with her career, we see her make things up with her mother. At the same time, we see her troubled relationship with Linda, seeing as she has a boyfriend, this really gets to Gia and we get to see this very sweet, sentimental side, which Jolie plays perfectly. At the same time, we see Gia's pressure with fame, mix that in with her other problems, we see: hurt, anger and a lost frustrated little girl. Gia starts getting desperate for drugs and will accept anything, thus leading to her addiction with heroin. Some of the scenes you may find disturbing, as the drug scenes are all filmed up-close and in a very detailed manner.

Gia then realises that she has to stop her drug-use, as she has lost everyone and everything (we see Gia pick drugs over Linda). We see her career crumbling, even though the cameras never stopped, even when she was lying on the ground with no control thanks to her drug-use (so, that comes across showing that the model world is a selfish and uncaring business). We see her take part in rehab and yes, she succeeds. This is the moment we then see Gia collapse...and yes, this is the moment we find out that a contaminated needle has given her AIDS and that she will die. From this moment on the film takes a moving turn. We see Gia try to wire up all her lost loves, which starts with Linda. This scene is very moving as Gia doesn't mention to Linda that she is dying, instead she gives her a long hug and tells her that she is the only one she will ever love and with that she hands Linda her journal which explains everything. (Ok guys, stop crying!)

Anyway...I won't bore you no-more, as the ending is pretty predicable, right?

AFTER THOUGHT

Did I enjoy this film? Yes. It's not often you'll see me watching a movie like this and the whole reason was because of Jolie...yes...this is without a doubt, the best performance I have ever witnessed Jolie perform, honest to God, no-one else would have done Gia justice in this movie. Jolie was the perfect pick, her whole sreen presence is mesmerising and exquisite. We get to see a lot of emotion in this film which I think Jolie handled in a very delicate, beautiful and perfect way.

The story? It was much more interesting to know that this was based on a 'real' event and a 'real' person. The thing I liked about this movie was it was very fast-paced, it moved quickly and it didn't bore you with the same scene for 30 minutes, I liked that as it kept me in suspense and I didn't know what was going to happen next, so that gets 5 stars in itself!

If you are a fan of Jolie, by all means, watch this movie, it won't disappoint you. If you are into true stories, then yes, this could be an interest to you. And, if you *really* want to see Jolie have sex with another woman...this movie could have great interest for you ;). I recommend this highly to everyone.

If you want to order a copy of this movie you can do so at a cheap price at: www.blackstar.co.uk

If you want to know more about Gia you can visit this site, which also includes some stunning pictures (Gia even graced the cover of Vouge and other various popular magazine covers!): http://www.giacarangi.com/