Razzie for Jared Leto April 7, 2022 – Posted in: Writer

“He’s won!”

It had been a couple of weeks since I had spoken to my friend Jenny Gucci when I took her call the day after the Oscars.

I was puzzled … “Who’s won, what?” 

Whatever it was, Jenny sounded thrilled and excited and why wouldn’t she be… Jared Leto had been awarded a Golden Raspberry Award for the worst supporting actor for his role as Paolo Gucci, in the House of Gucci film.

We both agreed that he was a worthy winner in the parody award show which annually – on the eve of the Oscars – celebrates the worst of cinematic under achievements.

Rightfully Jenny felt let down and angry by Jared’s clown-like portrayal of her husband in the Ridley Scott movie – the more so as, while on location, Jared had made the effort to meet with her (over Zoom) to learn about Paolo’s personality. 

Jenny had only agreed to the “meeting” because she was concerned as to how Paolo might  be portrayed in the film.

Her overriding concern was that, despite everything*, Paolo would be recognised for his innovative design skills and the contribution he had made to the Gucci brand. 

In my book, Gucci Wars – Jenny Gucci’s Story, following their conversation Jenny said: “He (Jared) allayed my concerns. I felt reassured putting Paolo’s memory in Jared Leto’s hands.”

How wrong she was. 

While I appreciate that actors are mere pawns who are manipulated into following instructions from their director, the caricature that we saw on screen was both completely inaccurate and cruely ridiculous. 

The true story of the Gucci family during this period is unbelievably compelling in its own right – it never needed the cheap and hurtful embellishments of paunches, shell suits or purple corduroy.

I should also point out that this is the view of everyone who knew the Gucci’s. Tom Ford, who worked for Gucci between 1990 and 2004, has publicly condemned Leto’s take on the late fashion designer.

He said: “Paolo, whom I met on several occasions, was indeed eccentric and did some wacky things, but his overall demeanour was certainly not like the crazed and seemingly mentally challenged character of Leto’s performance.”

I believe that the decision to portray Paolo in this ludicrous way, is the main reason that the film received mixed reviews when it was released in November. 

Sadly, I am convinced that it is also responsible for House of Gucci not being up there with the Oscar nominations (I still feel that Lady Gaga deserved an award for her brilliant performance), instead of featuring in – and winning – a Razzie.

*Read the true account in  Gucci Wars – Jenny Gucci’s Story, by Mary Harboe