Gina Michele Yaniz is a writer and digital media content creator with a deep love for storytelling. Charmed by the notable influence of the entertainment industry, Gina is passionate about uplifting the voices of artists and celebrating powerful material. She likes to embody the philosophy of writing through a non-judgmental and a genuine perspective while expanding the perception of film industry. Along with Hollywood Insider, Gina values the responsibility the media holds and wishes to use her writing to provide meaningful content. During her free time, Gina loves to watch period pieces, stand-up comedy, and indulges on her avid interest for reading articles on self-care.
Dec 5, 2021
Table of Contents
Photo: ‘House of Gucci’
Once again, Lady Gaga delivers a scene stealing performance in Ridley Scott’s ‘House of Gucci.’ If there were any lingering doubt surrounding Mother Monster’s acting chops, her Oscar-worthy portrayal of the fascinating Patrizia Reggiani, an Italian socialite who married into fashion royalty, proves that ‘A Star Was Born’ was anything but a fluke. Lady Gaga is a multi-hyphenate phenomenon who commands every scene and innately connects with her seasoned costars.
Without question, Gaga’s presence in the film is transfixing and paired perfectly with a high-profile cast that collectively brings this unbelievably twisted story to life. It is a captivating tale that flawlessly combines couture, murderous schemes, and charming Italian accents. Despite the extreme makeovers that have garnered controversy, the experience is exciting as we watch how fashion exudes the significance of the Gucci family and their murderous downfall. In the addictive words of Gaga as Reggiani, ‘It’s time to take out the trash.’
Patrizia Reggiani as a central figure is impossible to condense to one image. She is controversial, glamorous, and unmistakably vulnerable. Reggiani is portrayed as a woman who craves a sense of importance, and a life lived with purpose. Gaga fans who’ve been impatiently waiting for her return to the world of cinema should be delighted with the compassionate and female-centric approach she applies to Reggiani as a character. Despite arranging the horrific assassination of her ex-husband, Reggiani is arguably a woman who feels isolated and fearful for her future. She’s worried about her daughter’s inheritance and how she will be defined by society. Reggiani wants to push the Gucci name toward the future and conserve the allure surrounding the fashion house. Her professional views bleed into her marriage, and it is a harrowing journey as we watch the intimacy between Patrizia and Maurizio crumble. They are painstakingly at odds in a battle for control over the Gucci reputation.
As for Lady Gaga’s understanding of Patrizia Reggiani, “What I felt about her was that she was trying to get ahead in life, she was trying to matter, she was trying to make something of herself.” Reggiani is ruthlessly honest with such confidence that she seamlessly imposes her truth any chance she gets. There are few boundaries Patrizia recognizes, which make her a fierce creature who refuses to be overlooked by her ex-husband or society. Gaga’s magnetic aura makes her perfect to embody the elusive character of Reggiani. Gaga felt comfortable molding herself into an energetic persona into a native-born Italian where she could fully embrace her Italian heritage and achieve an impressive accent.
The film premiered November 24 with Adam Driver, Salma Hayek, Jeremy Irons, and Al Pacino spearheading the scandalous narrative of an elite Italian family consumed by wealth, privilege, and greed. Mauricio inherits the Gucci fortune along with the weighty responsibility to uphold the Gucci namesake. It’s an introspective look as we watch Mauricio’s recognizable privilege influence his questionable business decisions and Patrizia’s concern for the prominent family.
As expected, it took a few minutes to become entirely absorbed by the charismatic personalities behind the iconic fashion empire. The Gucci family embodies elitism and sexism. It was part of the Gucci ethos to exempt women from single-handedly running the Gucci empire; A patriarchal vision that intentionally casts aside feminine empowerment by discouraging women from tasting the pleasures of power.
Wealth and Greed
Unfortunately, the men in the family underestimate Patrizia’s enterprising perspective, which rejects the antiquated customs of her husband’s family and insists on voicing her unsolicited ideas.
And, of course, this leads to the unbelievable and wild plan to have her husband executed. Really, ‘House of Gucci’ has all the makings for good soap operas. You have all the classic elements of romance, betrayal, and the casual assassination of your spouse. If anything, Andy Cohen should expand Bravo’s influence to Italy and cast Patrizia Reggiani; She is anything but short for drama.
It would be unfair to cast Maurizio as the villain who dismisses a woman’s thirst for equal balance in their marriage. He’s a man who inherited a celebrated and ridiculously wealthy company that carved a space in contemporary fashion for Italian designers. It was a position inherited from a dominant father, and now he’s forced to navigate the web of an ambitious family who is often at odds. After watching the film, it’s obvious their marriage was doomed to fail. Just not to that extent.
‘House of Gucci’ – Premiere & Reactions
Ridley Scott’s biopic encapsulates the allure of high fashion and the luxurious indulgences enjoyed by the Gucci family. There are vibrant scenes of Studio 54 and coastal views of Lake Como. Lady Gaga moves seamlessly from glamourous skiing locations to dark rooms where she injects a powerful sense of humanity into such a mysterious and untamed character.
‘House of Gucci’ – From Fact to Fiction
Sara Gay Forden’s novel, ‘House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed’ inspired Ridley Scott’s cinematic retelling of Patrizia. The novel is the result of Forden’s frequent conversations as a journalist with the real Patrizia Reggiani. Their discussions continued post-murder and after Reggiani was sentenced for her husband’s murder. The film is pretty much a visual retelling of Forden’s intimate conversations with Reggiani and her grasp of Reggiani years later. In short, the film is everything you want it to be when it comes to Italian melodrama, with brilliant actors bringing Scott’s imagination to life. It’s an exciting and riveting experience that gradually builds to a jaw-dropping conclusion.
‘House of Gucci’ is worth Jared Leto’s extreme makeover. Adam Driver and Lady Gaga share irrefutable chemistry that makes this film unbelievably intoxicating. Salma Hayek provides a convincing performance as Reggiani’s psychic and assumed co-conspirator whose relationship evolves to the point of dependency. There’s an overall theatrical element that shoulders the inconceivable theme of vengeful assassination. All in all, ‘House of Gucci’ is a celebration of creativity and artistry as they often reference the influence of Gucci’s empire and the dynamic world of fashion.
Cast: Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Salma Hayek, Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Jared Leto
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Gina Michele Yaniz is a writer and digital media content creator with a deep love for storytelling. Charmed by the notable influence of the entertainment industry, Gina is passionate about uplifting the voices of artists and celebrating powerful material. She likes to embody the philosophy of writing through a non-judgmental and a genuine perspective while expanding the perception of film industry. Along with Hollywood Insider, Gina values the responsibility the media holds and wishes to use her writing to provide meaningful content. During her free time, Gina loves to watch period pieces, stand-up comedy, and indulges on her avid interest for reading articles on self-care.
Gina Michele Yaniz is a writer and digital media content creator with a deep love for storytelling. Charmed by the notable influence of the entertainment industry, Gina is passionate about uplifting the voices of artists and celebrating powerful material. She likes to embody the philosophy of writing through a non-judgmental and a genuine perspective while expanding the perception of film industry. Along with Hollywood Insider, Gina values the responsibility the media holds and wishes to use her writing to provide meaningful content. During her free time, Gina loves to watch period pieces, stand-up comedy, and indulges on her avid interest for reading articles on self-care.
