House of Gucci
Al Pacino, Adam Driver, Lady Gaga, directed by Ridley Scott—How did this go wrong?
Pros: Gaga and Pacino need to do more movies together!!
Cons: Jared Leto’s version of an Italian accent, too long of a runtime, unclear character motives, and JARED LETO’S INSULTING ACCENT
The House of Gucci tells the true story of an outsider from a small truck-driving family, Patrizia Reggiani, who married the heir to the Gucci fashion family empire, Maurizio (Driver). Maurizio is willing to be cut off if it means he can marry this poor girl. But then an olive branch is offered. Al Pacino plays Aldo Gucci, Maurizio’s uncle who favors Patrizia and his nephew over his son, Paolo (Jared Leto). It is this favoritism that gives Patrizia a way in. She steers Maurizio to be more assertive in the family business on her behalf. Slowly, she pushes her way in completely and turns the tables on the rest of the family. The deals, greed, and betrayals that result from Patrizia’s entrance make up the majority of the movie—ultimately leading to murder.
Patrizia (Gaga) and Maurizio Gucci (Driver) are the foundation of the story. The actors give them natural chemistry—at first! The first half or so is strong and compelling, thanks to the chemistry between Gaga, Driver, and then Pacino. Their banter undercut by greed and self-preservation is the best part of the film.
Patrizia and Maurizio gradually rise, with Aldo’s help, to the top of the family business. There is a Scorsese vibe to this part of the film. It reminded me of him since he is the master of the rags-to-riches-to-greed-to-jail story (Goodfellas, Raging Bull, Wolf of Wall Street, Irishman). Ridley Scott is a master in his own right, but he mishandled this story. This is not his best work. Please see his other 2022 film, The Last Duel to know what he can really do.
Because. Nearing the midpoint of this two-and-a-half-hour movie, the pace slows. The focus shifts to include too many characters and motives. And the film falls apart, stretched beyond its strength.
Below are explanations of the other problems I listed above. There will be spoilers.
Unclear Motives: Greed for the lack of a better word is good. I understand that all the characters are acting out of greed, to stay rich and in power. But even with this in mind, not all of the moves, deals, and backstabbing make sense. At least not in the context of how the characters were introduced. This is a true story. So, these dirty and evil moves probably happened, and they would make sense if you know the real people. But they didn’t fit with how the characters were built and presented in the movie. For example, Maurizio is introduced as sheepish, shy, and timid to power. It is Gaga’s Patrizia that forces him to accept Aldo’s offer, to seize power. And then suddenly. Maurizio is cutting deals, cheating on his wife, and backstabbing every one of his own choices. This change may have happened in real life, but the transformation is not shown on screen.
This rapid shift happens again when Maurizio and Patrizia decide to double-cross Aldo. The uncle was their ticket in. He wants them to have more power and control in the company. And then—after one disagreement over knock-off bags being sold in a black market—Gaga digs up dirt and has him arrested for tax fraud. The film spent SO much time showing them get along that it felt too sudden when one argument causes them to stab him in the back.
The biggest leap was the fortune teller who becomes Patrizia’s confidant. The character is played by Salma Hayek. I don’t even remember this person’s name because she was introduced so quickly, seen so rarely, and then suddenly given a huge role in the plot. In one early intercut scene, Patrizia changes the channel to one of those fortune tellers you can call in and ask for a reading. It was so random in the movie!!! I only knew it was important because they got Hayek to play her. Then spread across the next two hours, there are only two scenes of Patrizia meeting with Hayek for guidance in her rise through the family business. And finally…at the peak of Patrizia’s change into a villain, what should be the most dramatic moment…the fortune teller is there, too! Why! And it turns out this fortune teller helped Patrizia plan Maurizio’s murder. Again, this is a true, crazy story. But this part is not explained well in the movie. If she played such a big role, then we needed to spend more time with her (and less with Leto, who ultimately doesn’t do much). Why is the fortune teller suddenly involved in planning the murder? That was such a big jump! They went from Selma telling Gaga to guard her money against attack…to her saying, “I know a guy who would kill your husband!” It was just a very confusing character and a waste of a good actress.
My least favorite part of the entire movie: Jared Leto’s accent. I have read other reviews ripping into this as well so I know I’m not alone.
American audiences hate subtitles. So, we easily accept that if the character is speaking with an Italian or German accent, that means the real people were Italian and German. It’s a little weird and silly if you think about it, but the agreement works between the audience and the actor. And for the most part, the film respects this tradition. Pacino, Gaga, and Driver all deliver believable and subtle Italian accents to remind us that the movie is taking place in Italy. But then Jared Leto’s Paolo punches you in the face for being an ignorant American. His accent is thick, ridiculous, and silly. It sounds silly. Just imagine a cartoon Italian guy, the kind Family Guy would make up. That is the accent! You got it! Even real Italians speaking English don’t hit every syllable with as much energy and sauce as Leto does. The character is shown to be a loser, a family rejects, and a joke. But that is clear enough through the events of the story. If anything, the accent is distracting from what is happening. I was not sure if I was supposed to be laughing or feeling sorry for him. There are entire scenes of him whining in this high-pitched, stereotype-laced voice. Disapointing.
