Ridley Scott’s fashionable take on the epic rise and infamous fall of the Gucci family legacy is out in theaters this Thanksgiving holiday. Should you put on the fancy clothes while eating your turkey and stuffing?
House of Gucci is inspired by the shocking true story of the family empire behind the Italian fashion house of Gucci. Spanning three decades of love, betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately murder, we see what a name means, what it’s worth, and how far a family will go for control.
Thanksgiving is a unique holiday in it is all about the family coming together for a loving feast. The reality behind the holiday is filled with betrayal and murder. House of Gucci merges these together but instead of an epic dinner we are treated to the most expensive fashion and one major murder.
The film’s two selling points are the excessive wealthy life the Gucci family showcase and the amazing performances of the stellar cast. Adam Driver carries a very understated character through a vast arc that really makes him stand out. Many folks will either love Lady Gaga’s go for it all portrayal of Patrizia Reggiani or find flaws in her accent, over the top mannerisms or her look in general. I tended to find her rather captivating and a wonderful yang to Driver’s yin as Maurizio Gucci. Though a more seasoned actress may have really carried this performance to incredible heights. I don’t by the Oscar buzz sadly for Gaga in this performance. Al Pacino is as loud and electric as Aldo Gucci as you’d expect and want from the iconic actor. Jared Leto’s performance holds most intrigue in the incredible transformative prosthetic and makeup work of Federica Castelli, but his vocal imitation of Paolo Gucci is spot on. The real scene stealers though are Jeremy Irons stoic take on Rudolfo Gucci and the understated take on Domenico De Sole by Jack Huston. Salma Hayek as Pina Auriemma I thought was not given enough time as her impactful character was so intriguing to the plot. Each cast member really was highlighted by DP Dariusz Wolski and Editor Claire Simpson. Both allow the vibrant looks and performances to linger just enough to showcase the visual beauty of the film’s fashionable look. House of Gucci can’t be faulted in the performances and look.
The main hiccup of the film is a constant one for Ridley. His pacing drags rather slowly. The film is not only a long 2 hours 37 minutes but it feels like a longer film. This constant ogling feel over every fashion moment in the film does scream the opulence of the family, but the movie goes back and back and back to that to much. The opening love story and the ending’s betrayal are done nicely but the lengthy middle chunk of the film seems as heavy as Leto’s body suit. The family’s constant bickering just weighs down the epic rise and fall quality.
House of Gucci is a film that look amazing but on further inspection is as overpriced, overvalued and overweight as the expensive designer looks. I won’t throw dirt on Ridley and say you can wait to see the film on your Cell Phone, but the film isn’t worth a theatrical viewing either. Wolski’s cinematography is great, but in comparison DUNE is a film to see on the big screen. This film honestly doesn’t hold the weight of the book.
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Based on Book – “The House of Gucci” by Sara Gay Forden, Story by Becky Johnston and Screenplay by Becky Johnston and Roberto Bentivegna
Rated: R
Selig Rating: 3 Stars
Running Time: 2 hrs 37 min
Crime Drama
Now playing in theaters.
Starring: Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons, Jack Huston, with Salma Hayek and Al Pacino
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
