A movie about the Guccis could be told in many ways. The morbid story is based on real events. The movie could be a neo noir as the story has all the elements, the femme fatal, the patsy,seduction, murder and the perfect end for a noir movie. It could have been a drama film with a serious tone, especially because the cast included superb character actors . It could have been made like a show or an opera, with songs aria, tenors a la Sweeney Todd. After all, it is a story about an Italian family and has all the sound fury and drama needed for operatic effect.

Veteran director Ridley Scott, instead, decided to tell the story as a black comedy and the result is a winner. That are not the only reason. Let’s take a look at the cast. There is Academy award winners, Lady Gaga, Jarred Leto, Al Pachino, Jeremy Irons and Academy Award nominee Adam Driver delivering stellar performances.

The excellent screen-play with an ideal mix or the Italian accent, sarcasm and humor keeps the viewer engaged. The sets, the decor and all the grandeur that is captured by the movie’s cinematography also enhance the experience.

Cast: Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pachino, Jeremy Irons, Jarred Leto, Salma Hayek

Director: Riddley Scott

Available on Prime

Patrizia Reggiani(Gaga), the daughter of the owner of a trucking company meets Maurizio (Driver), one of the heirs of the Gucci family, at a party in the early 80s. With persistence and her vile charms, she secures his affection and the two become involved. Lady Gaga seems like a natural and fits into the role of Paula perfectly.

Rudolfo(Irons), Maurizio,s father sees through Patrizia and sees her for the gold digger she is, and warns Maurizio about her real intentions. Maurizio, captivated by Patrizia’s charms is adamant that he is going to marry her. In retaliation, Rudolfo disinherits his son.

Maurizio ties the knot with Patrizia and join- her father’s trucking company and seems content with where he is. Patrizia has other plans. She manages to get Maurizio’s good-natured uncle Aldo to like her. As Patrizia is pregnant with Maurizio’s child. Aldo, plays peacemaker on Patrizia’s part and convinces Rudolfo to accept his son and his son’s family.

Rudolfo takes back Maurizio back into the family,, but overlooks updating his will to include Maurizio. Patrizia forges Rudolfo’s signature on the will, to give Maurizio half of the Gucci fortune.

Aldo’s son Paolo(Leto) is another interesting character in the movie. He neither has the business acumen, nor the creative talent to make valuable contributions to Gucci. Unfortunately for Paulo, he also lacks the self-awareness, to recognize his shortcomings and has delusions about making an impact in Gucci, as a designer, just like his illustrious father and uncle. Both Rudolfo and Aldo keep him at a safe distance from the family business.

Patrizia puts her evil plan in motion by using Paulo as her patsy. After a series of unethical and unscrupulous moves, using her husband as a pawn to her plans, she and Maurizio manage to take over complete control of Gucci ,by usurping Aldo’s and Paulo’s shares of Gucci.

At this time, Italian Police have wind of the forgery of Rudolfo’s will and search for Maurizio who flees with his family to Switzerland. Maurizio is now fed up with Patrizia, and sends her and his children back to Italy and has an affair with an old friend.

It turns out that Maurizio is no businessman either, and his mismanagement forces him to sell his company to Investcorp, a private equity firm in exchange for a golden parachute of 150 million dollars. At this stage, a furious Patrizia conspires with her personal psychic and guide(Hayek) to have Mario assassinated.

The House of Gucci is a tale of seduction, romance, greed, deception, fraud and murder. The movie’s unique narration and stellar cast make this movie a classic. I recommend this movie wholeheartedly. I wonder how Tim Burton would have presented House of Gucci, had he been its director.

Quotes:

Patrizia: I don’t consider myself to be a particularly ethical person, but I am fair.

Patrizia: Father, son and House of Gucci.

Rudolfo: Gucci doesn’t belong on a model, it belongs in a museum.

Rudolfo: True talent is often unaware of its own brilliance. It must be cherished and protected. Whereas hacks, they run around, shouting their delicious ideas, begging to be recognized. Blind to their own mediocrity.

Rudolfo: My dear nephew, you have achieved a triumph of mediocrity …and you have also achieved the unimaginable. You have found one thing…upon which your father and I can agree:….your total incompetence.