The House of Gucci starring Lady Gaga is the crazy story of family, wealth, betrayal, greed and murder within the iconic Italian fashion empire, Gucci. Who knew all of this went on? I sure didn’t. Gaga played the hell out of Lady of the House, Italian socialite Patrizia Reggiani, an outsider who marries into the House of Gucci when she weds Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), the grandson of designer and Gucci patriarch Guccio Gucci. The film is based on Sara Gay Forden’s 2001 novel, The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed.
I love Adam Driver and he also did not disappoint portraying Gucci family attorney Mauricio, who at first glance appears meek, nerdy and gullible. No one sees him as a threat or a contender for control of the house until Patrizia plants the idea in his head. Patritzia, a daughter with mob family ties, marries into the Gucci family and brings a cut-throat mob mindset to the table where no woman has sat. She has her eye on the prize, taking over the House, from the day she met Maurizio at a party. Knowing exactly who he was from day one, and setting her strategy in motion on day two.
The film is outrageous, dramatic and funny. The real-life saga plays out with more drama than Dynasty or Dallas. Directed by Ridley Scott, the all-star cast are all on their “A” game. Guccio Gucci’s sons, Aldo and Rodolfo (the oldest), are played by Al Pacino, and Jeremy Irons, respectively. Cousin and hopeful designer and heir Paolo is played by an unrecognizable Jared Leto.
The fighting within the family, fueled in part by Patrizia, goes on for decades getting more intense by the year with lawsuits and backstabbing. The drama spans from the 1970’s, when Patrizia and Mauricio get married, through the 80s and into the Tom Ford era of the 90s. The cinematography of the film takes center stage as does the music and fashion from each decade. Each piece of music selected, you can tell, was carefully picked to represent each decade. Every piece of Gaga’s wardrobe throughout the film is to die for and just as carefully selected. The male character’s suits are also fierce, including Jared Leto’s character’s whacky but stylish corduroy’s and 80s sweat suits.
The House of Gucci follows Patrizia and Maurizio’s romance, relationship and failed marriage and ultimately ends with Patrizia murdering her husband in a last-ditch act of greed and revenge. Maurizio was shot dead in front of his office in Italy on March 27, 1995. Patrizia was subsequently arrested and convicted for the murder in 1997.
I’ve seen footage of interviews with Patrizia Gucci and Gaga nailed her to a T. Salma Hayek also stars as Patrizia’s eccentric friend/psychic. The film is in theaters now, just in time to contend for the 2022 Oscars.
Director: Ridley Scott
Screenplay: Becky Johnston and Roberto Bentivegna
Story: Becky Johnston
Based on the Book: “The House of Gucci” by Sara Gay Forden
Producers: Ridley Scott, p.g.a., Giannina Scott, p.g.a., Kevin J. Walsh, p.g.a., Mark Huffam, p.g.a.
Executive Producers: Kevin Ulrich, Megan Ellison, Aidan Elliott, Marco Valerio Pugini, Aaron L. Gilbert, Jason Cloth
Cast: Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons, Jack Huston, with Salma Hayek and Al Pacino
Loading…