House of Gucci

Mauricio Gucci, heir to the Gucci family apparel line, never considered himself anything like the rest of the Gucci family in the beginning, at least that’s the way this movie tells it. The Gucci name carries great weight to it. In Mauricio’s eyes being a Gucci means living in luxury, class and always having people expect something more from you. It carries a heavy responsibility, and being the head of, or even looking at becoming the head of, the Gucci company, like his father Rodolfo tends to stress and push to a breaking point…

But I’m getting ahead of myself here. For now, it’s 1984. And Mauricio is just a young member of the Gucci family who is attending a party he was invited to by a friend. He then locks eyes on the beautiful Patrizia Reggiani. The two chat and dance the night. It’s an instant connection.

Now normally someone in Mauricio’s social class would NEVER associate with Patrizia and certainly never marry her (Patrizia is merely the daughter of the head of one of the most successful trucking companies in Milan). But Mauricio doesn’t care. The two get married and have a child together.

As time passes Patrizia realizes that she is now a Gucci and that that MEANS something. She also realizes that Marucio doesn’t really take much interest in the company. “I don’t want to live in poverty when I can live in luxury. I’m a Gucci now.” Her psychic friend convinces her she will come into a great fortune. So, Patrizia starts to push herself into the family business through Mauricio.

If only Patrizia knew what she was up against…

Deception, murder, greed. Themes that all seem central to both the film “House of Gucci,” the book “House of Gucci” (on which the film is based) and at least some of the real events on which both are based. These are themes that are also commonly seen in films directed by the famed Ridley Scott. So it only made sense for him to sign on to a story so special, so malicious (pay attention to that), that it was just dying to be made, right?

Here’s the thing, though. Not everyone’s dirty laundry needs to be on display, especially if it is not entirely accurate or balanced. In fact, reports state that during production, members of the Gucci family weren’t even consulted, and they were even offended by the way some events are depicted on screen (apparently certain characters were added that were not a part of the surrounding circumstances).

Even if this story was fiction (which, yes, I did a ton of research on the events of transpired and yes the film got a good portion of the events and characters correct), this film is nothing to subject yourself to, truly. Oh sure, there is an all star cast: Lady Gaga nails her role as Patrizia, Jeremy Irons is plays decent Roldofo, Adam Driver is so—so, and Jared Leto is good for comedic relief from time to time. But again, I ask, what are you subjecting the Holy Spirit to in return?

Cinematically, the film is relatively okay. The pacing is fine in the beginning but tends to drag for the last half of the film, especially knowing how the real-life events transpired. The scenery is what is most impressive and sometimes breath-taking —from the vintage New York city streets to the beautiful hillside mansions and farmhouses in Milan.

But again, “House of Gucci” has an ever-present darkness overshadowing it from beginning to end. The people in the film are either miserable, drinking, arguing or scheming. In terms of cleanliness, only the first 30 minutes are relatively clean. The rest is nothing more than a battleground for heavy amounts of sexual content (some of it graphic), partial nudity, vulgar language, greed and other jaw dropping moments that made me wonder what I just witnessed.

Content of Concern

VULGARITY: F-words (27+), b*tch (1), b*stards (1), sh*t (6), b*ll-sh*t (2), butt-hole (1), “She has bigger man-b*lls than you,” “Tiny little b*lls,” “Has my little peaches in a tight grip,” a person urinates on a Gucci product of importance to a family member.

PROFANITY: “Father, Son, House of Gucci” (1). God’s name is misused a couple times.

**WARNING GRAPHIC SEXUAL CONTENT AND NUDITY AHEAD. READER DISCRETION ADVISED**

SEXUAL CONTENT/DIALOG: There is a prolonged scene where a male and female character have intense sexual intercourse in an office behind closed doors (this includes, sound effects and includes the male pulling down his pants to ready himself). The term “smell between my groins” is used. There is an implied scene of sexual intercourse between a character and a female character. One female character bends down to pose and grab a male character’s attention. A female character gives a male character oral sex while he’s driving. One character mentions to another male character, “You don’t touch anyone, you just t**ch y**rsef”, “make love” (1), “sack of potatoes” (reference to male genitals), “bigger mangoes than you” (comparing female breasts to male genitalia). There are suggestive lyrics in the songs “Gotta Have Faith” and “Here Comes the Rain Again.” Someone mentions they’re worried about their father “dropping the soap” in prison. Men are seen making cat calls to a woman.

NUDITY: Female characters are shown wearing multiple cleavage baring outfits. We also see this female character in the bathtub multiple times, covered only by bubbles (her breasts are seen underneath the bubbles in one scene). In another scene, we see one female character in only her bra and panties. During a fashion show, a male model is seen in nothing but leather chaps showing his bare behind and other characters show excessive skin as well. The camera slowly pans down a dancing woman’s body.

OCCULT: A female character is seen consulting a medium on multiple occasions throughout the film to have her future told. We witness a tarot reading. The medium also jokes with a couple characters about how if they mess something up she’ll “put a spell on them.”

VIOLENCE: People hire an assassin to murder a husband. Two men are shot by a hitman—one 3 times. There is a very angry scene with a husband and wife displaying uncontrollable fury and verbal abuse. A husband is seen grabbing his wife and holding her up against the wall, choking her briefly in the process.

ALCOHOL/DRUGS: Characters are frequently seen drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes or a cigar. A song refers to a drug junkie.

OTHER: A character is seen forging signatures as part of her job. We see her do this for a deceased character later without permission. A character runs from the police to another country to avoid prosecution for tax evasion.

Lesson

The most obvious takeaway from a film like “House of Gucci” is the power and corruption of greed and pride. Greed comes in many forms, not just money. Greed is the desire for wealth, power or anything else that is sinful is nature.

Patrizia came from humble beginnings. She grew up in poverty, with very little. Yet, when she had just a small taste of the Gucci fortune she wanted more. More money, more power, more fame. These are sinful desires. Money isn’t evil, but the love of it is.

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. —1 Timothy 6:10 LSB

Having enough money to provide for ourselves or some power or responsibility isn’t evil, but continually never being satisfied or thankful to God for what you have IS….

“And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” —Luke 12:15

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” —Colossians 3:5

To go back and put 1 Timothy 6 into full context…

“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” —1 Timothy 6:6-10 LSB

Closing Thoughts

I felt a sense of dread and emptiness leaving the theater at the conclusion of “House of Gucci.” It’s sad, truthfully, to see that such a talented cast (and truly, they are), utilized on a story like this: a story that glorifies deception, murder, and greed. What’s even sadder is that THIS is what’s passing as entertainment today.

Perhaps, as Christians, we should stop and pray for these actors and actresses instead. Perhaps we should pray for Mr. Scott as well. Pray that they make more honorable choices in the films they produce (and in Mr. Scott’s case, I pray that he comes to the Lord, since he has stated he is an Atheist).

In any case, “House of Gucci,” is not a film I recommend to Christians. The graphic sexual content and dialog are enough for anyone to steer very clear away from the film. You are much better off spending that ticket money elsewhere.

• Vulgar/Crude language: Extreme
• Sex: Very Heavy
• Nudity: Heavy
• Profane language: Moderate
• Occult: Moderate
• Violence: Moderate
• Drugs/Alcohol: Moderate

Learn about DISCERNMENT—wisdom in making personal entertainment decisions

Every time you buy a movie ticket or buy or rent a video you are in effect casting a vote telling Hollywood, “I’ll pay for that. That’s what I want.” Read our article

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.