House Of Gucci

When Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver) elects to marry Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) his father Rodolfo (Jeremy Irons) disapproves and cuts him off from the family business and money. But Patrizia is driven and believes that she and Maurizio deserve their own stake in Gucci. 

In order to find their way back into the family they seek the help of Rodolfo’s brother Aldo (Al Pacino) whilst trying to keep his idiot son Paolo (Jared Leto) at arms reach but on their side. 

Ultimately though, Patrizia’s drive pushes her away from Maurizio and her upset leads down dangerous paths. 

Ridley Scott’s second feature in the space of a month is unfortunately very much the poorer of the two. Although interestingly given the amount of people in my screening it will clearly be the winner in terms of box office takings. 

The films component parts are phenomenal. Scott brings his usual visual flair and manages to nail the eras of the ‘70’s, ‘80’s and ‘90’s that the film spans. Whilst the acting pedigree on display should have reaped rewards. However the execution is somewhat erratic with the six key actors falling into three camps. 

Adam Driver and Lady Gaga are the best of the group and acquit themselves well. Jeremy Irons and Salma Hayek (playing a spiritual guide for Patrizia) are mostly wasted and anonymous. Whilst Al Pacino and Jared Leto are diabolically bad in an apparent attempt to outdo each other in the over acting department. Although perhaps it is unfair to put Pacino in the same breath as Leto who for some reason is trying to make the biggest statement of “look at me” I perhaps have ever seen in a film. 

After the initial opening of the couples whirlwind romance and manoeuvring back into the company the film unfortunately completely stalls and becomes a bit of a slog to the end. This in the main comes about because of a shift in focus to Pacino and Leto’s characters and my interest completely waning. 

If you are going to watch one Ridley Scott movie this year make it The Last Duel.