The real-life family from House of Gucci have described Ridley Scott’s film as being “extremely painful.” House of Gucci is an adaptation of a true story centering on the Gucci family and their internal battles for control over their iconic fashion brand. The crime-drama is Scott’s second film of 2021, following on from The Last Duel, which was positively reviewed, but a huge box-office flop.
House of Gucci has been praised for its sheer entertainment value, rather than the quality of its screenplay. The performance from Lady Gaga, who portrays the central character of Patrizia Reggiani, has been universally commended, with many critics suggesting that the mega-star is deserving of a second Academy Award nomination. Discussing her approach to starring in the film, Lady Gaga revealed that she relied on the controversial Method acting approach, retaining her character's accent even while off set.
Now, in a statement shared by Variety, the real life Gucci family claim that Scott’s film presents an inaccurate portrayal of them that was "extremely painful" and an "insult to the legacy" of their brand. The statement criticises in particular the film’s portrayal of Patrizia Reggiani, describing her as the “instigator of the murder of Maurizio Gucci,” and denouncing the film’s “indulgent tone” towards her. The family’s statement also explains that they were not consulted during the production of the film. Check out the statement, translated from Italian, below:
The Gucci family takes note of the release of the film House of Gucci and is a bit disconcerted because, although the work claims to want to tell the “true story” of the family, the fears raised by the trailers and interviews released so far, are confirmed: the film carries a narrative that is far from accurate.
The production of the film did not bother to consult the heirs before describing Aldo Gucci – president of the company for 30 years – and the members of the Gucci family as thugs, ignorant and insensitive to the world around them, attributing to the protagonists, events, a tone and an attitude that never belonged to them. This is extremely painful from a human point of view and an insult to the legacy on which the brand is built today.
Even more objectionable is the reconstruction that becomes mystifying almost to the point of paradox when gets to the point of suggesting an indulgent tone towards a woman who, definitively convicted of having been the instigator of the murder of Maurizio Gucci, is painted not only in the film, but also in the statements made by cast members, as a victim who was trying to survive in a masculine and macho corporate culture.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. Moreover, over the course of it 70-year history during which it was a family business, Gucci was an inclusive company. Indeed, precisely in the 1980s – the historical context in which the film is set – women were in several top positions: whether they were members of the family or extraneous to it, these included the president of Gucci America, the Head of Global PR & Communication, and a member of the board of directors of Gucci America.
Gucci is a family that lives honoring the work of its ancestors, whose memory does not deserve to be disturbed to stage a film that is not true and that does not do justice to its protagonists.
The members of the Gucci family reserves every right to protect the name, image and the dignity of their loved ones.
The statement provides an interesting, alternative perspective on the film, and will give an answer to audiences who wondered what the reaction from the remaining Gucci family would be. Both Lady Gaga and Scott have previously expanded on the decision to avoid contact with the real life Gucci family. Lady Gaga turned down the opportunity to meet with the real Patrizia Reggiani before portraying her, saying that she did not want to “collud[e]” with her. Meanwhile, Scott denounced earlier criticism from the family that the film was exploiting their name and history in order to make a profit, stating that “one Gucci [family member] was murdered and another went to jail for tax evasion so you can't be talking to me about making a profit.”
House of Gucci had a strong opening weekend for an adult drama in the pandemic era, and the film has been well-received by audiences, regardless of the Gucci family’s opinions. The results, amid the wider box-office context, indicate that take-ins are continuing to increase. The veteran director of the film isn’t taking a break to enjoy the film's successes, however. Scott recently confirmed that he was part of the development of TV adaptations of Blade Runner and Alien, and fans of Lady Gaga’s acting will be hoping that she can find her next role just as quickly.
Source: Variety