In 1978, Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) meets Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), a young law student and heir to the Gucci fashion dynasty. Their relationship drives a wedge between him and his father (Jeremy Irons). Patrizia is desperate to live the Gucci lifestyle, and upon her pregnancy, Maurizio’s proud uncle (Al Pacino chews the scenery) and later his inept cousin (Jared Leto unrecognizable in makeup) help the couple vie for control of the company. Emotions run high, and family ties will be destroyed. When Patrizia’s marriage is jeopardized, she takes things to a deadly extreme.
The cast, loaded with Oscar caliber talent, give it their all, at times verging on parody. Driver is convincing, but Gaga owns this film with her fierce portrayal of a sassy, driven woman. (You can almost envision a young Sophia Loren excelling in this role.)
Director
Ridley Scott (Gladiator) convincingly
presents a world of wealthy decadence and fashion icons amid disco tunes, flashy
period costumes, and impressively shot locations. You do get drawn into this world of the glitz
and glamor even though there is little else to identify with especially when
you see examples of hyper-extravagant spending. (This story could easily have
been a Ryan Murphy-type television miniseries.)
There
are moments where events and motives are not entirely clear; what is clear is
this dysfunctional family squandered their iconic brand name and ended in
financial ruin, infidelity, and even murder.
No one emerges unscathed and
the final postscript is bitterly ironic.
It sort of makes you glad you visited but did not stay.
***
of **** stars (mostly for Gaga)
No comments:
Post a Comment