Released on November 24, 2021, the blockbuster House of Gucci directed by Ridley Scott has created quite the stir in the media. The fil
m features Lady Gaga, Jared Leto, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons and more.[1] I went to see it back in November and have since followed the comments both from reviews, journalists, and reporters - including the backlash from the members of the Gucci family and others who lived through the events of the film, like Tom Ford.[2] The film is based on the book by Sara Gay Forden, who went on an investigation and conducted hundreds of interviews to unfold the narrative of the events depicted.[3] My review focuses on my experience in the theatre, as well as the film’s reception.
From the beginning, the film's scenery was packed with great locations, buildings, interior, props, and fashion attire that captures the audience in the historic time in which the drama is set. The story takes us from Italy to Switzerland and all the way to the United States, with both bird’s eye view and close scenes in the homes of the characters. The music helps set the scene and is sometimes ambivalent to contrast the actions.
As expected for a film about the notorious House of Gucci, the costumes were extraordinary. Well-known classics were displayed and worn by the actors, as well as seen on the runway on a few occasions. Even though we got a glimpse into the extravagant and modish world of the members of the Gucci family, we should not make the mistake of thinking this was a fashion movie. The design of fashion was nowhere in the centre of this film. It was no historicist portrayal of the brilliance of a design icon and their creativity. It was a drama, a story of the downfall of a highly praised family business focusing on one single “member” that, at least in the film’s portrayal, was instrumental in the events.
As a drama, the film was well done. The pace was slow in the beginning, as the characters of the family were introduced, and we met the centre couple Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) and Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver). The film focused on their marriage: the story of a young middle-class woman marrying into one of the richest families in Italy at the time. Hereafter, following the corruption of them both as they entered the family business and what tragedies this constituted. The film featured interesting portrayals of the family members; both greedy, creative, bizarre, cunning, and the overall entitlement they endured. Especially the entitlement of Patrizia Reggiani. Each actor or actress displayed these characters well, very caricatured and with more or less successful Italian accents. Nevertheless, it seemed true to the story.
The story might be the most important aspect of the film and the most debated in the media. Lady Gaga is “the star” of the film, the main character. Her character married into the family. She made it her mission to save the empire from the elder members who (in her perspective) seemed to be running it into the ground. She pushed her husband Maurizio Gucci into re-joining the family business, so she could be the woman behind the curtain. The drama presented a strong-willed businesswoman. I thought of her as strong for a while. This was quickly changed later as she went further down into desperation and became fanatically obsessed with being a “Gucci.” Instead of spoiling it, I will leave it at this: for every character in this film, family and business do not mix well, as we see them all slowly fall into the abyss of their own greed, glory and entitlement to the crown and control of the House of Gucci. Especially for the woman in focus, Lady Gaga’s character, who the family never truly views as part of the family - and maybe, rightfully so.
Much of what has been said in the media is concerning the centering of Gaga’s character. Members of the Gucci family, their friends, and critics claim that the film ridicules, dramatises, and glorifies the events of the story. Especially, there seems to be a concern that Patricia is depicted as the hero, a scorned woman making the Gucci family’s males the villains. I get where this interpretation comes from, but this was not at all close to my experience. I saw Patricia as the villain of this story. I saw a woman of poorer upbringing rise to become mad with power and manipulation, which led to her fall - much like the classic mythical tale of Ikarus.
As this is a drama, we should all know that some scenes and encounters might be dramatised. Nevertheless, some facts of what happened are documented in the book the film is based on. Besides that, the take-aways are always open to reinterpretation.
I walked out of the theatre, shocked by the drama that surrounded the majestic Gucci family. Mostly since I had not done my research prior to watching, and I knew nothing about it beforehand. Even more, it was a great display of how family business, power, and the fashion world can be cruel and gruesome even towards the ones you love. It was not a fashion spectacle but an honest display of the backside of the business of fashion at the time. At that, it is an interesting and capturing film worth seeing, if not just to experience the feuds, intrigues, and some glorious historical fashion.
RESOURCES
[1] MGM. (2021). House of Gucci. Retrieved from MGM: https://www.mgm.com/movies/gucci [2] BBC News. (2021, November 30). House of Gucci: Family hits out at 'insulting and painful' portrayal. Retrieved from BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-59473981 [3] Alexander, E. (2021, November 9). Sara Gay Forden: The tragic truth about the House of Gucci murder. Retrieved from Harpers Bazaar: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/entertainment/a38179044/sara-gay-forden-gucci-interview/
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