Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated film House of Gucci is almost here. A dramatization of the infamous murder of Maurizio Gucci, orchestrated by his ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani, House of Gucci, will shed light on the terrible crime and what led to it. Lady Gaga and Adam Driver portray the estranged couple. The film also stars Al Pacino, Jared Leto, Jeremy Irons, Salma Hayek, and Jack Huston in prominent roles. House of Gucci has been in development for over a decade, with several big stars, writers, and directors involved in the project.
Finally, in 2019, House of Gucci was confirmed to be happening with Ridley Scott and Lady Gaga. The film faced delays due to the pandemic and Scott’s prior commitment to The Last Duel and started production in late 2020. After a long wait, House of Gucci will be released in the U.S. on November 24, 2021. The film recently had its world premiere in London, and the first reactions are quite intriguing. Some critics are calling it a “bloated mess,” while others are praising its campiness. However, one thing common is that Lady Gaga has delivered an incredible performance. And not just her, the entire cast shines in the acting department, but House of Gucci overall is a dud. There are also mentions of its campy tone, with several critics highlighting the film’s humor and craziness.
Leah Greenblatt of EW says, “Is #HouseOfGucci a “good” movie? In many ways it’s a mess, but the costumes and the camp accents (“GOOTCH-eeee”) and the pure bonkers Ridley Scott melodrama of it all still felt like a balm for my weary sweatpants soul. And if Gaga is not strictly Best Actress material, she is still the soul and tiny-espresso-cup spirit of the film”
And if Gaga is not strictly Best Actress material, she is still the soul and tiny-espresso-cup spirit of the film
— Leah Greenblatt (@Leahbats) November 9, 2021
Eric Davis of Fandango compared House of Gucci to The Godfather, emphasizing the performances, the family dynamics, and the accuracy.
GUCCI! #HouseOfGucci has a definite GODFATHER vibe, rich w/ family betrayal, transformative performances, lots of backstabbing & it’s definitely more serious than it is campy. Lady Gaga is incredible, as is Jared Leto, and the story is WILD! The attention to detail is impeccable pic.twitter.com/BphR07VLP5
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) November 9, 2021
Katie Walsh was all praise for Lady Gaga, writing, “Lady Gaga’s performance in HOUSE OF GUCCI is this alchemy of sheer charisma and presence, power of personality, and commitment to the bit. The way she stares daggers at everyone on screen is terrifying. The more I think about it, the more Patrizia is a true horror villain”
Lady Gaga’s performance in HOUSE OF GUCCI is this alchemy of sheer charisma and presence, power of personality, and commitment to the bit. The way she stares daggers at everyone on screen is terrifying. The more I think about it, the more Patrizia is a true horror villain????
— Katie Walsh (@katiewalshstx) November 9, 2021
Thrilled to tell you Lady Gaga is SO GOOD in House of Gucci & the parts with just these two are so fun. I hope they are in, like, a Golden Age-esque movie musical together someday. pic.twitter.com/clKJhSm4BF
— Erin Strecker (@ErinStrecker) November 9, 2021
#HouseOfGucci is Shakespearean in its execution. A solid story of greed and a hunger for success at any cost is dotted with tragi-comedic interludes – both entertaining in different ways. With solid performances, if campy and overegged at times, it works but could do with a trim. pic.twitter.com/q7EAfqQpm0
— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) November 9, 2021
Variety’s Clayton Davis called House of Gucci a better version of Scott’s 2013 flop The Counselor while applauding Gaga and Jared Leto.
#HouseOfGucci is quite the animal. Campy, everything Ridley Scott wanted “The Counselor” to be but wasn’t able to. Will be divided by many. Lady Gaga eats every morsel of her role up. Instantly the most quotable/meme-able movie since “Borat.” Jared Leto best since his Oscar win. pic.twitter.com/xh8nFrDXmC
— Clayton Davis (@ByClaytonDavis) November 9, 2021
David Ehlrich of Indiewire wasn’t as impressed but praised Jared Leto’s turn as Fredo Gucci.
House of Gucci is very good, Jared Leto was born to play iconic fashion designer Fredo Waluigi Gucci, and — sorry if this is a spoiler — but at one point Lady Gaga says “it’s time to take out the trash.” pic.twitter.com/jvClvMZibN
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) November 9, 2021
Brandon Katz had a much more negative review and criticized the tonal mishmash, calling the film an “overwrought slog.”
#HouseofGucci is an overwrought slog without any discernible direction. Too many narrative focuses stacked on top of one another. Glitzy talented names hamming it up in wealth porn can be fun, but not enough to save the movie from its own messiness
— Brandon Katz (@Great_Katzby) November 9, 2021
Scott Menzel highlighted many of the same issues, including the length and tone of the movie, saying, “House of Gucci is a bloated & uneven mess that feels like two different movies rolled in one. Every single cast member acts as though they are in a different movie except for Al Pacino, who seems to have understood the assignment and serves as the film’s MVP.”
House of Gucci is a bloated & uneven mess that feels like two different movies rolled in one. Every single cast member acts as though they are in a different movie except for Al Pacino, who seems to have understood the assignment and serves as the film’s MVP. #HouseofGuccipic.twitter.com/Y5NvVkNvqI
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) November 9, 2021
Anne Thompson writes, “House of Gucci is a crowdpleaser that critics will not support. At the Academy Museum screening last week, SAG actors showed support for the film’s most egregious scene-chewers, Lady Gaga and Jared Leto, who may squeak into SAG or Oscar race, but could have used the Golden Globes.”
#HouseofGucci is a crowdpleaser that critics will not support. At the Academy Museum screening last week, SAG actors showed support for the film’s most egregious scene-chewers, Lady Gaga and Jared Leto, who may squeak into SAG or Oscar race, but could have used the Golden Globes.
— Anne Thompson (@akstanwyck) November 9, 2021
I loved the mixture of tones in “House of Gucci.” It doesn’t descend into camp (with exception of Jared Leto’s performance, which I enjoyed) but it’s having fun with itself, too. Gaga is wonderful. Screenwriter says he was thinking “Sunset Blvd.” from Norma Desmond’s perspective.
— Chris Willman (@ChrisWillman) November 9, 2021
Gregory Ellwood of The Playlist is the only one unimpressed with Gaga’s performance, unfavorably comparing her to Madonna in Body of Evidence.
Sad to report House of Gucci is not good. At times you wonder if it’s Ridley’s first pass at an edit. More disappointing? Lady Gaga is bad. Not even CAMP good. There are moments when she’s simply dead behind the eyes. Reminded of Madonna in Body of Evidence. (1) pic.twitter.com/7Qz9dMPvsO
— Gregory Ellwood – The Playlist ???? (@TheGregoryE) November 9, 2021
It looks like House of Gucci makes good use of its star-studded cast but is weighed down by its tonal inconsistencies. Plus, Ridley Scott is notorious for making long and epic movies that have subpar theatrical versions and brilliant director cuts. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait for a Blu-ray to enjoy a better version of House of Gucci. Find out for yourself if the film lives up to expectations or not when House of Gucci premieres on November 24.
Source: movieweb.com