It’s not easy to say this about someone as beloved as she, but Lady Gaga is not a proper actress. Like Madonna, she is a personality, an entertainer, but not someone who can disappear into a role. Her latest part in the uneven and campy House of Gucci is a case in point: we are never seeing the woman who infamously helped take down an empire by marrying into the wealthy Italian family and then pulling the levers. No, we are seeing someone who pulls faces reminiscent of Liza Minnelli and has a very finite repertoire of acting moves. Even her most ardent supporters can’t honestly say that they forgot who they were seeing onscreen.
The Milanese family who were once the embodiment of luxury goods, and whose clientele were only the most wealthy of the elite, are ripe for having their story told, but director Ridley Scott feels out of his wheelhouse and the cast mostly seem embarrassed to be there- as if they have a feeling they’re going to have to live this down someday.
Adam Driver fares best as Maurizio Gucci, the son who wants to be an attorney, not a loafer and handbag impresario. The shy and awkward child of wealth is at a party when he’s approached by Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) who herself is the child of an empire, only in her case it’s her father’s trucking business. Becoming a Gucci would definitely be a step up and one is forgiven for wondering just how much that influenced her marriage.
The couple follow the typical marital arc of wedded bliss becoming boredom, then dislike and finally a nasty post-marriage that resulted in a well-known case that, nevertheless, I will not spoil here.
Meantime, Maurizio’s father, played by icy cool Jeremy Irons, is unhappy with his son’s marriage and career path and an estrangement ensues.
But Uncle Al Pacino, the more gregarious and ample-bodied of the Gucci brothers comes to the rescue of the young couple, giving them an amazing home and interests that he will come to regret.
Finally, a special Camp Hall of Fame mention to Jared Leto, who has made a career of over-the-top, mannered performances. As the Ne’er-do-well son of Pacino, Leto is buried under layers of latex and a convincing bald pate – he is mostly unrecognizable, except for his eyes. Leto chews enough scenery to start a sawdust factory and anytime he is onscreen, it is impossible to regard the film as anything other than a broad comedy.
Is There Anything Good About This Movie?
Actually, yes. The locations, the sets, the wardrobe and other technical disciplines are well done. It is often watchable. This movie would make a fun-to-watch Ryan Murphy series – expectations would be different (and met). But as a 2 ½ hour Ridley Scott theatrical release? With Gaga as Liza? It didn’t work for me.
House of Gucci is rated R | 2 hr. 37 m | reviewed by Kyle Osborne