Many are looking forward to this film: In “House of Gucci” Ridley Scott tells the headline-grabbing story of the fashion house. Lady Gaga and many other stars make the movie a pleasure.
Berlin – A film about an iconic fashion house, staged by one of the most renowned directors in the world, starring several acting and pop superstars: the announcement of “House of Gucci” alone had it all.
Now the crime drama by Ridley Scott with Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Jared Leto and Salma Hayek is coming to the cinemas – and expectations are not disappointed.
Glamor, passion, disaster
The audience expects a highly glamorous film with strong actors, magnificent costumes and a breathtaking plot – which is also based on real events. The focus is on the history of the Gucci clan from the 1970s to 1990s.
Lady Gaga may play the role of her life. She embodies Patrizia Reggiani (now 72), the long-time partner of the fashion house heir Maurizio Gucci (1948-1995). “House of Gucci” tells of an energetic woman whose passion turns into mania at some point. About the love story between Patrizia and Maurizio, which starts promisingly but ends catastrophically. And from inside a fashion dynasty whose members betray and betray one another.
Against his father’s wishes, the shy Gucci heir marries Patrizia in 1972 and works for her father’s company for a while. Actually, Maurizio – embodied in a grandiose brittle manner by Adam Driver – doesn’t want to have anything to do with his family’s fashion house. He describes their glamorous demeanor as “bullshit”.
But Patrizia sees it differently. Attracted by success, she weaves intrigues to expand her and Maurizio’s power in the family business. Her plan works, at some point Maurizio is deeply involved in the business of the fashion house, sometimes messing with his uncle Aldo (Al Pacino), sometimes with his cousin Paolo (unrecognizable: Jared Leto).
Unfortunately for Patrizio, Maurizio has enough of their marriage at some point. He travels to Switzerland (also to avoid investigations into alleged falsification of documents) and hooks up with a former girlfriend there. The drama takes its course. A criminal fortune teller is now also involved, played by Salma Hayek.
Stepped up into the role
The 2 hours 38 minutes of this film just fly by. The acting of the actors is a pleasure. Gaga is also completely convincing: the over-the-top her character fits in with the role she has always embodied as a pop star. The 35-year-old recently said that she got completely into the role. “I had mental problems at some point towards the end of the shooting,” she told British Vogue.
And then the costumes. Old men in tailor-made pinstripe suits and polka dot silk ties, Patrizia in fabulous vintage designs, glittering, draped with tons of jewelry. Gaga said she wanted to look like her Italian mother at the time, costume designer Janty Vates told the New York Times. The Gucci archive in Florence was used, but also Gaga’s own wardrobe, vintage dealers and other designers. In addition, a tailor and five seamstresses were ready to sew looks for Gaga.
The very good soundtrack also contributes to the glamorous feeling, a mixture of Italian chansons, operettas and hits from the 70s and 80s. Cast, design, plot, music: “House of Gucci” ultimately convinces in many aspects.
And of course also lives from a great director: the scenes are heavily choreographed. Cameras fly over luxurious properties or highlight important moments. For example at the end, when Patrizia has made a momentous decision that will change the life of the Gucci clan forever. Look at her, who is submerged in her bathtub with wide eyes and remains rigidly under the water. Cut to Maurizio, who is cycling through the streets of Milan smiling – not knowing what is about to happen to him.
House of Gucci, USA 2021, 158 min., FSK oA, by Ridley Scott, with Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Jared Leto and Salma Hayek dpa
