House of Gucci is “painful and insulting”, says Gucci family November 30, 2021 – Posted in: Writer

How strange it must be to read about events that you actually experienced – to have your life turned into a book for others to read. But it must be even weirder to see yourself portrayed on film by an actor. To watch a complete stranger attempt to recreate you – or your relatives – for the purposes of entertainment. 

When Jenny Gucci and I began revising and updating Gucci Wars earlier this year we wryly smiled about the comments of Jenny’s outspoken stepdaughter, Patrizia, when she criticised the Hollywood machine for “stealing the identity of a family to make a profit”; and criticising the cast for being too ugly.  But now, having watched the Ridley Scott film “House of Gucci”, I can understand where Patrizia was coming from.

She was right about Al Pacino being miscast to portray her tall, handsome and charismatic grandfather, Aldo. Unfortunately even a lifetime of acting experience is not enough to change physical stature or achieve the elusive magnetism that comes with owning that certain air of authority. As Jenny herself said of the family she married into : “They all looked classy, even if they didn’t behave classily”.

But surely the most shocking misrepresentation is of Jenny’s husband Paolo – the father of their daughter Gemma and a man she loved for ten years. The film completely dismisses his ability as a designer and paints the picture of him being the idiot of the family. Even his appearance is a joke – the elegant cashmere suits ( in reality his usual attire ), are replaced with loud purple corduroy flares and luminous shell suits. While everyone can acknowledge the unbelievable transformation of his appearance, Jared Leto’s performance is a disappointing, two dimensional caricature. 

But, of course, if you didn’t actually know Paolo, and you hadn’t lived through the events portrayed, it wouldn’t matter. Since the beginning of time, all good drama needs some comic light relief to balance the story. Unfortunately, in House of Gucci, this role is successfully filled by a character called Paolo. 

That said, the film is hugely entertaining – for those who are interested in fashion and those who are not. Lady Gaga and Adam Driver are simply brilliant. I also enjoyed Salma Hayek’s performance as the Black Widow’s psychic friend, Pina, and Call My Agent’s, Camille Cottin, as Paola Franchi (the interior designer who won Maurizio’s heart). 

However – without a doubt – my favourite cameo was from the lovely Florence Andrews who plays Jenny. Her physical resemblance is uncanny and she also looks stunning in the scarlet gown she wears to sing at Paolo’s ill-fated fashion show.