‘House of Gucci’ unfolds a tale of ambition, betrayal, murder, and how ‘money isn’t everything’

Ridley Scott’s new film is set to hit Philippine cinemas on Jan. 19, 2022

A life of luxury meets scandal is what Ridley Scott’s latest film “House of Gucci” is all about. Inspired by the shocking true story behind the Italian fashion house of Gucci and based on Sara Gay Forden’s “The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour and Greed” published in 2001, the movie depicts the life of Patrizia Reggiani and the late Maurizio Gucci with the help of screenwriters by Becky Johnston and Roberto Bentivegn, ultimately taking viewers to a real-life family drama set at the critical era of the famed Italian fashion empire’s history.

Best known for his works in classic films such as “Alien,” “Blade Runner,” “Gladiator,” and “Thelma & Louise,” Ridley artfully depicts the end of the Gucci family’s control over its vast fashion empire, the waning days of privately-owned fashion labels and the onset of conglomerate control of the industry. A visual journey to the late ‘70s, the film is a “rollicking romp with all the sounds and looks of the period and the world in which the main characters lived and played. As the story unfolds, however, you witness how these characters interact and how off-kilter their lives become. A sad tale really, but told in a very entertaining way,” as described by production designer Arthur Max.

“[Ridley] hand-draws every single frame of the movie,” producer Kevin Walsh adds. “By the time he gets to the set he’s done months of preparation and everyone knows exactly what they’re doing on any given day. The attention to detail is mind-blowing.”

Helping Ridley bring his vision to life is his stellar ensemble led by Oscar nominees Adam Driver and Lady Gaga take as Maurizio Gucci and Patrizia Reggiani, respectively. Completing the film’s main cast are Oscar winners Al Pacino as Aldo Gucci, Jeremy Irons as Rodolfo Gucci, and Jared Leto as Paolo Gucci, while Oscar nominee Salma Hayek plays Pina Auriemma.

“It’s almost as though the cast were all different musical instruments,” says Lady Gaga. “Like an orchestra–everything from the drums to the bass to the brass to the woodwinds and strings. And because we’re all so different as actors, Ridley is the one conducting a symphony of all these different orchestral elements.”

“This movie is a genuinely good time,” she continues. “A wild ride and every second is entertaining. Part of Ridley’s magic is that, with all his artistic ways, ultimately, he wants the audience to enjoy themselves.”

The care and attention that went into the film should provide the viewing public with pleasure on multiple levels, according to Walsh. “I hope audiences will take away a sense of enjoyment in the artistry of this film, which allows us to appreciate the work of a great troupe of filmmakers who take their work really seriously but also have fun in trying to create a piece of entertainment,” he adds. “Story-wise, I think they’ll take away the moral that money isn’t everything.”

“House of Gucci” opens on Jan. 19, 2021 in Philippine theaters (From Universal Pictures International).

Watch the trailer below.