This is my very favorite AJ drawing. The artist is Heather Justice.

Artistry could be defined as the ultimate realization of heaven on earth; the presentation of something completely spiritual in a physical manifestation able to touch the deepest core of one's inner-self. I believe that many people who call themselves artists haven't earned the right to do so. To touch, to inspire, to connect, those should be the goals. And yet few of our contemporary "artists" have been able to come close to Angelina Jolie's performance in "Gia."

It is a performance of such purity, that trying to even explain it becomes a futile task. It's better just to sit down, take a look at the film, and be completely bawled over by its magnificence. The fulfillment of a promise of greatness is earth shattering enough, but when it comes in the form of a 22 year old, it's just plain insanity. From her very opening scenes, we see that sense of risk taking in her eyes; that sense of wildness, of free spirited devotion to life.

It might disturb some, accustomed as we are to the empty stares of mannequin-like "artists" who offer nothing more than the superficiality of their countenance. Once you connect with her in those first scenes, you are in for the ride of your life. Every gesture, every look, every stance, they all contribute to a sense of reality seldom seen in the big screen, let alone television.

Jolie's life force illuminates those around her. Her uncanny ability for expressing the most primal of feelings, be it love, or anger--and on many occasions the unavoidable frustration of life itself-- convince us to deeply empathize with someone as distant to our own realities as Mars.

Watching Gia slowly self-destruct made me want to shake her and somehow make her realize that things could be better. Happiness is an imaginary fantasy state, but life could be so much better than what she had. Her slow descent into nothingness served to illustrate the power of destruction that is drugs, and what loneliness and desperation can lead us to.

As the entire film is basically carried by one individual, it is not easy coming up with that visceral moment all performers reach. Every single scene overflows with honesty. But one look at the scene where Gia makes a phone call to her ex-lover Linda (wonderfully played by Elizabeth Mitchell) and apologizes to her answering machine for all the suffering she might have caused only to have Linda herself pick up the phone is one of the most powerful and sad scenes I have ever seen.

It is at this peak moment that Jolie leaves no doubt whatsoever of what talent and artistry are. And in the viewers, it leaves an indelible mark of becoming one with art, of connecting with another human being and being inspired to do much more...

---Irina

Well everyone... I believe that I may as well note myself as the most fortunate individual on the face of this earth!!! Today, I went to the public library.. and guess what I saw, calling to me from the shelf? None other than the film I've been searching for for so long ( indeed, I am a deprived individual who does not subscribe to HBO...  an adolescent who had been anticipating the release of GIA on video after missing its HBO presentation!)... There it was! Right in front of me as though God himself placed it there for my eyes alone! Of course, I rented it.. and of course.. I watched it immediately upon arrival home. As you might expect, I loved it!

   Angelina Jolie, with all her physical and internal beauty, shines her illustrious light as Gia Carangi... Capturing the audience's attention in virtually every scene, she holds center stage now as her career skyrockets! I loved her in "Hackers".. I loved her even more in "Foxfire"... and I absolutely adore her in "Gia"... Words are incapable of fully describing the impact this movie creates on viewers (like me :-). I've seen online pictures of the real model, and I must admit that the resemblance between these two women is astounding as well.

   After watching the film, I logged onto the internet and listening to several read audio interview clippings with Angelina. With a wisdom far transcending her age and a deep understanding of herself as an individual, Angelina awakens inspiration within my own self as to living the momment, living life to its fullest potential as opposed to wasting away... Isn't it odd how someone you've never met can create such an indescribable impact that changes you? .... It's as easy as "falling in love with someone you haven't even spoken to.." (quoted from Sandra Bullock in "While you were sleeping"...) That is only fashion by which I can describe what "Gia" has done for me... I don't know how many of you will understand it.. and I don't expect everyone to.. but it is the only way I know how...

    *smiling*.. before I go on and on ( this could last till dawn but I'll spare you from my ramblings ), I say, "Angelina... wherever you are... You've changed me -- in a good way.. and I thank you for that.. "   And I'd also like to acknowledge the real Gia for her work. Despite the tragedy of it all, she continues to live on... Her life and legacy are almost tangible to us now due to the remarkable film we all love..."Gia"... Thanks again Angelina.. for EVERYTHING...

 ---- Kate

Rolling Stones: "Angie" - Jagger, Richards

Angie, Angie, when will those clouds all disappear? Angie, Angie, where will it lead us from here? With no loving in our souls and no money in our coats, you can't say we're satisfied, but Angie, Angie, you can't say we never tried.

Angie, you're beautiful, but ain't it time we said good-bye? Angie, I still love you, remember all those nights we cried? All the dreams we held so close seemed to all go up in smoke, let me whisper in your ear; Angie, Angie, where will it lead us from here?

Oh, Angie, don't you weep, all your kisses still taste sweet, I hate that sadness in your eyes, but Angie, Angie, ain't it time we said good-bye? With no loving in our souls and no money in our coats, you can't say we're satisfied,

But Angie, I still love you, Baby, ev'rywhere I look I see your eyes. There ain't a woman that comes close to you, come on Baby, dry your eyes. But Angie, Angie, ain't it good to be alive? Angie, Angie, they can't say we never tried.

Some fans get lucky! Here's Angelina posing with some fans as she was leaving an L.A. video store. This pic is courtesy of Mo, and it was taken around the time "Foxfire" came out on video.