House of Gucci: What You Need to Know Before Watching

After building the anticipation of audiences for many months, House of Gucci finally hit the box office on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. Here’s everything you should know before going to see the movie.

---

Gucci was once a family business, founded in 1921, by Guccio Gucci in Florence, Italy, known for the leather craftsmanship of very fine belts, shoes, and accessories. Under the direction of his two sons, Aldo and Rodolfo, Gucci became a worldwide-known exclusive brand. Trouble only entailed when the third generation began to take more of an active role in running the family business.

This movie, based on a true story, follows the third generation, Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), grandson of Guccio Gucci, son of Rodolfo Gucci, and Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), an outsider, who marries into the family. She sees an opportunity to marry well; you can see it from the moment her eyes light up when she meets Maurizio and he tells her his last name. Once she worms her way in, they marry, have a daughter, and she eventually turns everyone in his family against each other, derailing the Gucci family and nearly destroying the Gucci Empire. Ultimately this leaves the company with no family left in the business at all. Gucci was fully bought out by Investcorp, and since 1993, has become a corporate company. It has remained a high-end fashion house with designers, like Tom Ford, getting their start, as well as others throughout the years.

While the trailer makes the movie seem more intense than it is, it’s not as action-packed as you would think. It is still interesting in terms of storytelling. Creativity, fashion, culture, family, drama, betrayal, and greed play an active part in the film. If you’re wanting to see the movie just for the fashion, it is not the main element as one might think, but pay attention to Patriza once she becomes married into the Gucci family; she is a tight package in Gucci from head to toe.

This movie is visually appealing and the compelling cinematography also plays a vital role in the overall composition of the story. The story is told in detail, not leaving much information out. It is rather long and drags a bit in the middle. However, Paolo Gucci, Maurizio’s cousin, played by Jared Leto (shocking, I know), adds comic relief in these long and intense moments. His over-exaggerated emotions lessen the seriousness of the family drama. With a fun and groovy soundtrack consisting of artists such as Blondie, David Bowie, Eurythmics, and George Michael, the movie is its own work of art.

Overall, the movie is definitely a must-see if you have any interest in the fashion world or family drama.