The first reactions to House of Gucci compare the Lady Gaga-led film to The Godfather. House of Gucci is directed by Ridley Scott and features a cast that includes Adam Driver as Maurizio Gucci, Al Pacino as Aldo Gucci, Salma Hayek as Pina Auriemma, Jared Leto as Paolo Gucci, Jeremy Irons as Rodolfo Gucci, and Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani, who married into the family and spun it into a web of excess, betrayal, decadence, and eventually, murder.
Gaga previously starred in Bradley Cooper's A Star Is Born, which garnered her three Oscar nominations, two for Best Original Song (which she won), and one for Best Actress. Prior to that, the actress cut her teeth in smaller roles in films like Machete Kills, and Sin City: A Dame To Kill For, as well as some TV work for Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story series. While Gaga has begun to slowly take on more film work, she is also focused on her music career, which is what initially launched her to superstardom.
Critics are now sharing their thoughts on House of Gucci, as the review embargo has lifted after the premiere, and the reactions seem to be consistent in many areas, with some strong comparisons to Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather. Many reactions cite the film's "campy" nature but call the performances "transformative," "solid," and "the real deal," particularly that of Gaga, who went full method for the film. Other terms used to describe the film include "hammy, tense, borderline farcical, overwrought" as well as "crowdpleaser" which should be good news for fans of Ridley Scott, as well as the actors on hand in this "Shakespearian" endeavor. Check out the reactions below:
1972's The Godfather is the classic mobster drama from Coppola, which traces the lives of the Corleone Family from the very beginning, starting with the arrival of Vito Corleone to America and his eventual rise to mob boss in post-WWII New York City. The film starred Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton, and Robert Duvall in what is commonly referred to as one of the best films ever made. The epic tale is one of betrayal, murder, power, and family, which is likely where the House of Gucci comparisons come in, especially with the Italian angle at play.
Ridley Scott has had an illustrious career filled with a garden variety of films from various genres. House of Gucci feels like something akin to his sensibilities, as the director has never flinched at an ensemble cast, and having him work with such a wealth of new and established talent is sure to provide an entertaining ride. The expectation seems to ride almost exclusively on performances as it is, so audiences turning out for the film will almost assuredly be just for that, despite Scott's name on the film. Ultimately, House of Gucci may not be Gladiator or Black Hawk Down, but the appeal rests in the biographical nature and Gucci family history, not to mention having a presence like Lady Gaga playing the one that disrupted it all. A hammy, campy, fashion industry-focused version of The Godfather may well be exactly what audiences are looking for and it sounds like they may get it with House of Gucci.
Source: Various (see above)
