House of Gucci (2021) - A Lesson about Who We Are, Where We Come from and What We Are Wishing for - 8/10 (17/02/22)

House of Gucci is an epic drama clocking in at two hours and thirty-eight minutes that portrays the rise and fall of the Gucci dynasty. The story revolves around Patrizia Reggiani, a young woman of modest origin who has never worked in her whole life. When she meets Maurizio Gucci at a party, she seduces the inexperienced youngster and manipulates him into going out on dates with her. As she becomes his girlfriend, she starts influencing her boyfriend regarding certain business decisions. As they get married, Maurizio Gucci gets estranged from his grumpy father Rodolfo Gucci who doesn't appreciate Patrizia Reggiani and grows closer to his ambitious uncle Aldo Gucci and his mentally challenged cousin Paolo Gucci. Patrizia Reggiani pushes her socially awkward husband to become more ambitious as she wants the business to expand internationally. However, her domineering attitude soon starts having negative impacts on her mariage. When Maurizio Gucci decides to leave and eventually divorce her, Patrizia Reggiani is planning her gruesome revenge.

This very good drama convinces on numerous levels. First of all, the acting performances are truly outstanding. Adam Driver, one of the most exciting contemporary American actors, incarnates the shy heir who becomes a relentless businessman very convincingly. Jared Leto is absolutely stunning as mentally challenged heir whose talents are often ignored and who is constantly mistreated by his family members. The shining star of this movie however is Lady Gaga who perfectly incarnates the greedy femme fatale who becomes an insatiable black widow. The way she dresses, looks at other people and speaks to others will send shivers down your spine. It's easy to imagine how a young naive businessman could fall under her spell.

Since this is a movie about a high-end luxury fashion house portrayed from the early seventies until the late nineties, this movie features magnificent accessories, dresses, jewelry, shoes and suits. The film also shows wonderful cars, elegant mansions and breathtaking locations all around the world. The bright cinematography with excellent lighting techniques is best enjoyed on the big screen.

The film's greatest strengths are its character developments and story. What almost starts like a fairy tale as a young woman of modest origin meets a charming young millionaire gradually turns into an abusive, dramatic and horrifying relationship that is quickly spiralling out of control. This movie will keep you on the edge of your seat until the climactic ending.

There are few flaws to mention. The movie obviously has a few minor lengths in the middle section that might drag on for far too long. Instead, it would have been interesting to briefly show the fates of the uncle and the cousin instead of describing it in two sentences as the very end of the movie.

House of Gucci is a wonderful drama with excellent acting performances, intriguing characters, tense plot development and wonderful settings. It goes to show that money can'y buy everything and especially won't make you happy. This movie portrays how greed, jealousy and power manipulate the human mind as people quickly forget who they actually are, where they come from and what they are wishing for. This story is worth being told and should go down as one of the most critically acclaimed movies of this decade.