House of Gucci

As we continue with the end of year holiday film season, after reviewing one biopic, "King Richard" we go to another, "House of Gucci", which isn't a biopic on any particular individual as much as it centers around the Gucci family. While viewing this film, the old adage comes to mind, "Oh what tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive". 

This film is inspired by the shocking true story of the family behind the Italian fashion empire. When Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), an outsider from humble beginnings, marries Mauricio Gucci (Adam Driver) of the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately...murder. Because of Patrizia's unfamiliarity with fame and fortune, she cannot harness the responsibility that comes with notoriety nearly as well as the Gucci family including Aldo Gucci (Al Pacino), Rodolfo Gucci (Jeremy Irons) and Paolo Gucci (Jared Leto). So, with this newfound wealth that quickly comes Patrizio's way, she soon begins to pit the family members against one another to appease her power and control, only for this to become her undoing. 

Others to round out the cast are Jack Huston as Domenico De Sole, Salma Hayek as Pina Auriemma, Alexia Murray as Silvanna Reggiani, Vincent Riotta as Fernando Reggiani, Gaetano Bruno as Franco, Camille Cottin as Paola Franchi and Reeve Carney as Tom Ford. 

This was delineated extremely well by director Ridley Scott ("The Duelists" '77, "Alien" '79, "Blade Runner" '82, "Black Rain" '89, "Thelma & Louise" '91, "White Squall" '96, "Gladiator" 2000, "Black Hawk Down" '01, "Matchstick Men" '03, "American Gangster" '07, "Prometheus" '12, "Exodus: Gods and Kings" '14, "The Martian" '15, "All the Money in the World" '17, "The Last Duel" '21) plus many others, TV and video shorts. Every time I see a film where Scott helms the picture, I can always be guaranteed that the direction will be consummate. He is an actor's director in that he can simply bring the characters written about to life through his actors. He has a massive resume and knowing this, any film he's involved with will assuredly be a winner, even if other aspects aren't as honed. If you like this filmmaker's brand of directing, his "Kitbag" is going through the filming process at this time. It was subtly, but intensely written by Becky Johnston ("Under the Cherry Moon" '86, "The Prince of Tides" '91, "Seven Years in Tibet" '97, "Arthur Newman" '12) and Roberto Bentivegna (shorts), based on a story by Johnston, which is based on the book by Sara Gay Forden. After viewing the trailer on this film, I was not wowed into seeing this, but considering Ridley Scott directed and the cast was unbelievable, I decided, reluctantly, to view it. As I was viewing this with great trepidation, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, and, although it wasn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, it was exceedingly better than I could've dreamt. The film sequence was spot on as was the cohesiveness. Really, other than a few places of choppiness and some areas of continuity issues, this expose of the Gucci family was certainly worthy of the price of admission. 

Trust me, the trailer of this film doesn't sell it. It goes deeper and definitely shows the insecurities of this family far more than the trailer depicts. And, how bad can a film be with actors like Pacino, Irons, Driver and Leto; in fact Driver or Leto could end up with an Oscar nod. Message here? Money, power and notoriety can't buy happiness. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3                                             Rated: R                                                157mins.