REVIEW: ‘House of Gucci’ movie feels more like House of Gaga

SALT LAKE CITY — It’s no surprise the wardrobe of the new based-on-a-true-story movie House of Gucci from MGM Studios shines as much as the iconic Gucci leather products, but the acting blows the fashion out the water. However, the length of the movie makes it feel as though it could’ve been made into two parts.

Lady Gaga takes the role of Patrizia Reggiani, a spiteful ex-wife turned murderer, and makes her dazzle. Gaga perfectly shows the evolution of Patrizia’s lust for power and greed as she marries into the iconic Gucci family, yet at one point also makes you start to feel sorry for the way she’s treated… until she pays people to kill her ex-husband and the father of her children. 

Which brings us to Adam Driver and his portrayal of Maurizio Gucci, heir to one of the most iconic Italian retail fashion empires. Driver’s goofy yet sexy and masculine display of the late Maurizio matches Gaga but can’t quite outshine her performance. The two have an on-screen chemistry that makes them seem like they were really married. 

HOUSE OF GUCCI is playing only in theaters starting Nov. 24, 2021.

The dark horse of the all-star cast (which also includes Al Pacino, Salma Hayek, and Jeremy Irons), might be Jared Leto.  He’s almost unrecognizable as Paolo Gucci and provides a lot humorous moments throughout the film.  Leto should’ve practiced his accent full time for six months like Gaga though because at some points it’s almost as laughable as his character.  

The scenes were shot in various parts of Italy during the pandemic, a challenge in and of itself which deserves a mention. Thankfully director Ridley Scott shot so much of the picture in the actual country from which Gucci hails because it pulls you more into the movie making you feel right there with the cast. 

Scott does not leave much history out telling the story of the evolution of the Gucci empire, which is why the movie teeters towards 2 hours and 40 minutes. He pulls back the curtain on the corruption within the luxurious life of the family, and their self-sabotaging antics that left them broken and estranged from the luxury brand that generations of previous family members built.

This is a must see for fashion lovers, and little monsters who adore Gaga. Or anyone who doesn’t have drama at their own Thanksgiving, who will enjoy watching absurd levels of it here. 

House of Gucci is rated R (for language, some sexual content, brief nudity and violence) and is not suitable for children.  It is playing only in theaters.