Lady Gaga stars as Patrizia Reggiani in Ridley Scott’s HOUSE OF GUCCI.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Inc.
© 2021 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Directed by Ridley Scott
Screenplay by Becky Johnston and Roberto Bentivegna based on the book by Sara Gay Forden
Written by Starring Adam Driver, Lady Gaga, Jared Leto, Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons
Ridley Scott is back again with his second film in a year based on a true story. Scott brings to life the story of one of the biggest fashion scandals and crimes to ever happen. Straight away we are introduced to Maurizio Gucci, the quiet and reluctant Gucci heir, played by the fantastic Adam Driver. He soon runs into the confident and larger-than-life daughter of a trucking company owner, Patrizia Reggiani in 1970 (played amazingly by Lady Gaga), at a party much to high status for her. He is shy but charming and he intrigues her, but when she learns his name, she becomes instantly infatuated. Seeing the opportunity in front of her to become wealthy, Patrizia and Mauritzio begin dating, becoming an enviable couple that seem truly in love. After we see the two marry, despite Mauritzios fathers’ disapproval, it soon becomes the last time we see them happy. The film portrays Patrizia as being genuinely in love at first, a fact that the real Patrizia swears to be true. It isn’t until later when greed gets the best of her that she becomes out of control, and hungry to take the business into her own hands, resorting to criminal acts.
(l-r) Adam Driver stars as Maurizio Gucci, Jared Leto as Paolo Gucci and Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani in Ridley Scott’s HOUSE OF GUCCI. A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film Photo credit: Fabio Lovino
© 2021 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Each cast member brings their own eccentricity to the high fashion characters. Jeremy Irons plays Rodolfo Gucci, co-owner of Gucci and a retired actor set in his ways. Al Pacino plays the eccentric uncle, he is fun and loving but underneath it all he will not be crossed. Jared Leto has been completely physically transformed into the oddball cousin Paulo Gucci. Unrecognizable, Leto brings to life Paulo, the runt of the Gucci litter. He is hard done by; he lacks talent, and he is the butt of every joke within the family. You begin to feel sorry for him as he really does seem like the innocent one that is 5 steps behind everyone else and just wants to fit in. While Leto’s performances are always good and he fully commits to the role, without a doubt, it will be up to the audience to decide whether it fits into the film. Is it a little too outlandish? Personally, I think so.
Adam Driver gives a touching, subtle performance as the shy Mauritizio but it is Lady Gaga that steals the show. Every second she is on the screen, you are captivated. She nails every beat, line and emotion with perfection. She has a rock-solid chance of winning the 2022 Academy Award with the main rival being Kristen Stewart in ‘Spencer’.
Adam Driver stars as Maurizio Gucci in Ridley Scott’s. HOUSE OF GUCCI A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film
Photo credit: Courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures Inc
© 2021 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Overall, the film is enjoyable mostly thanks to the performances and the comedy aspect that audiences may not expect. However, at a runtime of 2 hours and 40 minutes I would say that it was stretched out a little too long. If it wasn’t for Lady Gaga’s flawless performance, I think it might have dragged too much. I am curious to know whether this film did well enough for Scott or if he will blame streaming again for any lack of success at the Box Office, like he did with The Last Duel. It’s almost as if people were more drawn towards Gaga and Driver playing amusing, rich Italians as opposed to Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in a period piece with questionable accents – Who knew?
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