The true story of the fall of one of the most powerful families
in the fashion industry at the hands of an ambitious outsider. BIOPIC/DRAMA
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House of Gucci (2021)Directed by Ridley Scott
Written by Becky Johnston and Roberto Bentivegna Starring Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons, Salma Hayek, Jack Huston, Camille Cottin Based on the book by Sara Gay Forden Oscar Nominations - Best Makeup |
Ridley Scott has had a busy year. First The Last Duel, which was critically acclaimed despite abysmal box office numbers, and now House of Gucci, an ambitious biopic about the Gucci empire and the power players therein. Sporting one of the best ensemble casts I've seen in years, House of Gucci plays out like a Shakespearean epic, with outsider Patrizia Reggiani (Gaga) acting as the first domino that brings down the empire and takes the Gucci brand away from the Gucci family, which is where it stands today. While the entire cast performs admirably, it's no secret that Lady Gaga delivers a scene-stealing performance. Personally, I'd also like to show some props to Jared Leto and Al Pacino, who perform admirably as well. There's a lot of Michael and Fredo Corleone in that relationship, and it does come out in the film.
Basically, the Gucci family were once the most powerful family in the world of fashion. Gucci was a brand synonymous with power, legacy, and decadence, and to some it still is. But when Patrizia Reggiani fell in love with and married Maurizio Gucci (Driver), heir to the family fortune, she found herself in a strange new world that she wanted more of. According to the film, she manipulated the various Gucci power players until Maurizio was the majority shareholder, and then Maurizio divorced her ass when he realized she'd been destroying his family for years. So, blinded by jealousy and greed, she hired a hitman to kill her ex-husband. And this is all true, by the way. While a bit lengthy, the film keeps your interest throughout thanks to the engaging performances and the larger-than-life story. Ridley Scott is more of a hit or miss filmmaker than I once thought, but this year has been a big win for him critically, I think. House of Gucci is a wild ride from start to finish, and really gives audiences a glimpse at what power really looked like in the 80's and 90's. At the very least, it may make you look twice the next time you see a Gucci handbag in the wild. |