REVIEW: HOUSE OF GUCCI

 

4/5

The Assassination of House of Gucci.

158 Mins. Starring: Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Salma Hayek, Jack Huston, Reeve Carney, Jeremy Irons & Al Pacino. Director: Ridley Scott. 

Gucci's main selling point is prestige to the two gold G's. In Ridley Scott's latest movie with Adam Driver in a matter of months (see the outstandingly overlooked, 'Rashomon' inspired 'The Last Duel', reuniting the lens of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon with the swords of Nicole Holofcener and Jodie Comer), regarding characters with morals so loose they could do with some chain mail or cufflinks, one quote puts it perfectly. Ralph Lauren is like "a movie set". Versace "a rock concert". But the empire of Gucci, mayne (word to Terrence Howard)? Well this, darling is "the Vatican of fashion". And in refining Sara Gay Forden's revolutionary biography ('The House Of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour and Greed'), the great Scott known for his sprawling sci-fi epics like 'Alien, 'Blade Runner' and 'The Martian', switches to his other 'All The Money In The World' side of direction with the ideal 'Succession' to that movie that and a perfect partner to the hottest show on TV right now that plays like 'The Assassination Of Gianni Versace' for this American Crime Story. You may know Gucci like fashion designer and 'A Single Man' and 'Nocturnal Animals' director Tom Ford (who is played perfectly here by Broadway's Reeve Carney), but until you watch this has to be seen to even remotely be believed true story, you won't be able to tell the difference between what's real and what's a knock off. No matter who calls it "a replica". A melodrama befitting of 'The Godfather', this even has the legendary Al Pacino uttering the infamous "how could you do this to me" line, using his signature shouting instrument to Italiano operatic, grand and magnificent proportions. You know what he says, just when he thought he was out, they pull him back in like the seams of a stunning suit. This is the most fashionable fun since an Emmy worthy Ewan McGregor kept cursing Calvin Klein like DiCaprio Benihana in Scorsese's 'The Wolf Of Wall Street' as 'Halston' in last years Netflix miniseries tailor made for this trapped in the closet of the bygone 90's, just like this. But when it comes to styling this family tragedy with a Lady Macbeth like Frances McDormand in the centrepiece, how about the latest reborn star made for the catwalk?

Haus cosmetics may be pop superstar Lady Gaga's way of giving the world make-up that is socially conscious, vegan and cruelty free, but 'House Of Gucci' is the movie that confirms the 'A Star Is Born' Oscar winner is truly just as real an actor as she is a singer proving the powerhouse of a soundtrack. She already stole the show like Streisand in the the Bradley Cooper starring directing debut, but now after doubling up in duet with classic crooner Tony Bennett again for 'Love For Sale', the unstoppable, multiple, generational talent is back with another iconic look. As seductive in silk as the Gucci name she betrothes herself with, Gaga has some crazy competition in this year's Academy. The 'Passing' double-threat of Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson, double winner McDormand knocking on Oscar's door from 'Nomadland'. Jessica Chastain's 'Eyes Of Tammy Faye'. 'The Power Of The Dog' in Kirsten Dunst. 'The Lost Daughter' of Olivia Colman. Jennifer Hudson's 'Respect' of Aretha Franklin. Still, if there's anyone this time that could take out this competition like the were trash it's Stefani Germanotta's full embodiment of Patrizia Reggiani in a revolutionary biography. Tapping her espresso cup with unethical, but fair authority. But in this grand design of crime, all sinner, no saint like Newark, no one gets away clean in this cut, down this Perdition like road were "none of us will see heaven" like Paul Newman once told a gangster Tom Hanks. With a cable-knit Captain America would literally kill for, 'Star Wars' star Adam Driver is tempted by the dark side once again. And the deeper he goes this could just be one of the 'Marriage Story' and 'Paterson' renowned actors greatest performances in all its bespectacle. Like the sound of 'Silence' with Andrew Garfield. 'BlackKklansman', 'Logan Lucky' or his latest 'Duel' with Scott and Matt Damon. Yet it's when the young love of Gaga and Driver flirts up a storm in the early 80's and dance floor scenes that these two really cut a rug and set it all alight in movie magic. To the 'Scarface' crack soundtrack and lipstick digits on the windshield of a moped that will truly wipe you out. What a shame that loves young dream defers and becomes the tragedy of ageing not so gracefully in this bitter earth, where there are more backhanded deals than there is compliments. These two may go well together, but at the break of this you'll find what really suits them both...down to the scorched earth ground. One that wham, bam, thank you, ma'am turns into a frozen tundra of last Christmas, I gave you my heart. And to think George Michael played at their wedding. I thought you were talking about having faith? Suit yourself, sir. 

Bald cap, bloated and the best moustachioso sports jacket racquet since David Schwimmer looked like David Seaman in 'The Iceman', friends. You have never seen Jared Leto like this. He may be 50, but this Keanu like vampire looks nothing like this. The Joker with Bale's of weight next to Pacino like a raging bull or 'Chapter 27' of his own real Hollywood story. The 30 Seconds To Mars leading man making his own music stealing the show. It's 'The Little Things' with this amazing actor. Like his vision in 'Blade Runner 2049', his criminally underrated Clown Prince of Crime (see Snyder cutting him in on his 'Justice League' rebirth) and what he brought to Japan as 'The Outsider'. The axed 'American Psycho', 'Fight Club' and 'Requiem For A Dream' star already took the Oscar home for his 'Dallas Buyers Club' transformation. Yet here,all Italian hand gestures and hilarious, but lovable idiocracy, you can't even tell it's him like Jo(h)n Voight in 'Ali'. It's his greatest impression since said 'Morbius' Marvel vampire uttered the "I'm Venom" line meta hilariously. Signs of a true thesp with method to his madness. Now we can't wait for his 'Tron: Legacy'. He's in legendary company with 'The Irishman' turned Italian in a paunched Pacino as well, giving us his greatest hit in years. And we're talking going Irish too. This, his De Niro reunion on Netflix and 'Once Upon A Time In...Hollywood' being to the Winter of his career what 'The Panic In Needle Park', 'Serpico' and my all-time favourite movie 'Dog Day Afternoon' were to the Spring, or 'Scent Of A Woman', 'Carlito's Way' and 'Heat' to his Summer. Add an iron strong Jeremy Irons looking like the Hollywood legend of Old that he is to the pencil cigarette moustache almost as thin as the hold he has on his company or own son. And Salma Hayek on the mystic, 'Eternal' year of her career in a performance worthy of the poster. And Ridley's ravishing real life retelling is as all star as courtside celebrities who can avoid to drop a couple of G's on a pair of them. But it's the right hand man and household name of Jack Huston who has always been around ('Boardwalk Empire', 'American Hustle') who really leaves a mark. It feels like he's one film away from truly hitting the big-time of his name being in lights with the likes of Driver and Gaga. And this could be it. We believe this as much as we can't comprehend that this 'Cruella' cruel, terrific and terrible story is true. Crossing ourselves, hand to right shoulder, left and then heart. In the name of the father, son and 'House Of Gucci'. Ciao, bella. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'The Last Duel', 'All The Money In The World', 'A Star Is Born'.