This was supposed to be my favorite movie. It was essentially made to be, in fact. Every single thing I usually love about movies was in “Gia.” Strong female characters, drug problems, pretty clothes, artsy shots, AIDS. (See also: RENT). And yet, I could barely make it through the whole thing. At two hours long, “Gia” overstays its welcome by about 45 minutes.

The movie tells the true story of Gia Carangi, the world’s first supermodel. She became a world-famous celebrity literally overnight at the age of 17 and was dead at 26 of AIDS acquired during her years-long addiction to heroin. Angelina Jolie, in her first high-profile role, takes on Gia like a crazy, lesbian second skin. If you miss crazy Angie with knives and blood and bisexual tendencies, Gia will be your tall drink of water. Bonus for readers of this column: You now know that her breasts and bum are exposed at least one million times. They are also smashed into a chain-link fence. Hot? Disturbing? Who knows.

Jolie clearly threw herself into this role. She can’t be blamed for the failings of the other actors. “Gia” is shot like a documentary, interviewing actors playing her nearest and dearest. Mercedes Ruehl, playing Gia’s mother, was going for Oscar gold with her portrayal, but, as always happens when actors pander to the Academy, loses big time. Faye Dunaway appears briefly and perfectly as Wilhemena, Gia’s first agent and the architect of her massive success.

The sex scenes play like porn, and the later, dirtier drug scenes play like medical footage. Very little about “Gia” is easy to stomach. I do think this movie captures how quickly heroin takes over and destroys Gia, I just wish everything else in the movie had moved at the same pace.