Just over a month after giving us the excellent The Last Duel, unfair box office flop, veteran Ridley Scott (Blade runner, Gladiator) offers us a totally different feature film, certainly entertaining, but whose tone is so special that we do not really know where to stand.
In House of Gucci (The Gucci saga in the French version), no one seems to play in the same film, no one borrows the same accent either, and we do not know whether the malicious pleasure that the craftsmen seem to take in teasing the grotesque and bordering on the ridiculous is voluntary or not. However, this biographical drama still sustains interest. In truth, we are amused by this intrigue worthy of a soap opera, which we regard as a luxury episode of Dynasty.
Inspired by a true story, visibly romanticized (Becky Johnston and Roberto Bentivegna took their screenplay from a book by Sara Gay Forden), the story spans two decades to tell the story of Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), a woman working first in the administration of the transport company run by her father. Her life will change when she will marry Maurizio Gucci, the wealthy grandson of Guccio Gucci, founder of the famous house that bears his name.
A soap opera in three acts
First there is the meeting, in the 1970s, during a large private party where the DJ apparently only has three Donna Summer albums. When she finally discovers the last name of a well-dressed, shy and clumsy stranger, Patrizia’s interest is aroused in less time than it takes to say “pushy”. Her game as a seductress will lead her to the altar, much to the chagrin of Rodolfo (Jeremy Irons), Maurizio’s father who, with his improbable British-Italian accent, disapproves of the union to the point of cutting off food. his son.
We then focus on describing the couple’s married life, initially happy, marked above all by Patrizia’s strategic shenanigans so that Maurizio obtains control of the company. This means that she will do whatever she can to ward off Uncle Aldo (Al Pacino, super busted) and the latter’s fool of son, Paolo (Jared Leto, unrecognizable and clownish). But the marriage is on the wane. And jealousy sets in.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY METRO GOLDWYN MAYER
Lady Gaga and Adam Driver in House of Gucci (The Gucci saga), a movie directed by Ridley Scott
The last act is devoted to all that will lead to the assassination of Maurizio in a street of Milan in 1995. Marked by the arrival in the decor of a clairvoyant that Patrizia discovers on TV and that she will involve in the scene. case (Salma Hayek), this part should in principle have been the best put together. Now, at this stage, nothing seems to matter anymore.
The scene in a spa where the two women are discussing is already worthy of being included in a psychotronic anthology, as is the absurd one where henchmen are called upon. Under these circumstances, it is impossible to take this film at all seriously.
Even though the story is true and involves real people, House of Gucci is strictly nothing from a series true crime.
If Adam Driver seems a bit off in this soap too long where everyone makes tons, Lady Gaga however finds here a role to its measure. The 1980s are going to suit him.
In the dining room in the original English version (with bad Italian accents) and in the French version.
Drama biographical
House of Gucci
Ridley scott
With Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jared Leto
2 h 37
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