They’ve been hiding this one long enough, but Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci” was finally screened to L.A. press this afternoon. Here’s a reaction from a seasoned West Coast film critic:
“House of Gucci” is a cool, muted, subdued docudrama — a somber, carefully measured, not especially emotional family downswirl. It’s no Best Picture contender, I can tell you that — if you ask me “The Last Duel” is grabbier, punchier, more compelling. Scott plays it cool and low-key throughout. It’s more studied than dramatized, certainly not in any kind of nest of serpents, “House of Borgia”-type way. It’s not a satirical or flamboyant or broadly performed thing, which the trailers have seemed to indicate. And it’s NOT really a Lady Gaga show a la “Mommie Dearest.” Yes, she’s the main character — an icy, ruthless, somewhat calculating gold-digger and pretty good at delivering this, but she’s not as good as “Duel’s” Jodie Comer. I’m not dismissing her but “Gucci” primarily struck me as an ensemble film, and for my money the standout performances come from Al Pacino, Jared Keto, Adam Driver (restrained, modest) and Jack Huston. It’s not a bad film but it feels a bit tepid, careful, drawn-out, and certainly not operatic. It just keeps plugging away in a just-the-facts, relentlessly dialogue-driven, no-crazy-or-tricky-stuff manner, and it doesn’t ever kick in with anything that could be called over the top or boiling or nutso in a Faye Dunaway-as-Joan Crawford fashion. Pacino nails every line and Leto leaves a stronger impression than Gaga. I’m sorry but as “good” and steady and respectable as it is, “Gucci” feels like a bit of a letdown. I’m not panning it, but it didn’t really get my blood going. The under-35s will be bored stiff.”
Here’s the official synopsis:
“House of Gucci” is inspired by the shocking true story of the family empire behind the Italian fashion house of Gucci. Spanning three decades of love, betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately murder, we see what a name means, what it’s worth, and how far a family will go for control.
The cast includes Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani, Adam Driver as Maurizio Gucci, Jared Leto as Paolo Gucci, Jeremy Irons as Rodolfo Gucci, Jack Huston as Domenico De Sole, Salma Hayek as Pina Auriemma, and Al Pacino as Aldo Gucci.
“House of Gucci” opens in theaters on November 24 via MGM and United Artists Releasing.
I can confirm that Joel Coen’s “Jack of Spades” is based on Frances Frederica Montrésor’s 1901 novel “The Alien: A Story of Middle Age.” It’s a ghost story. A gothic mystery.