HOUSE OF GUCCI

Current film

Ridley Scott

USA/Canada 2021

An unflattering portrait of the Gucci family following the rise and demise Patrizia Reggiani played by the polyvalent Lady Gaga. The actresses’ excellent rendering of the tantalising and toxic character of Patrizia, who is at once victim and gold digger, holds our attention throughout an otherwise overlong and patchy film. Personally, the film strikes a familiar note as it evokes the excesses of Italy during the period in which I lived there in the 1980s and 90s. The movie has some painfully mannered  moments, especially in the portrayal of  Paolo Gucci by Jared Leto. However, students of English will be encouraged by the ease of comprehension and the compulsion to see just how unpleasant the rich can be. 

Language level

Very easy…no need for subtitles. I find the frequently mannered Italian accents contribute to the contrived nature of the film.

Mark

Key words and expressions

A shopping mall

To cat-call

Bless you!

A calling

Frumpy

A goal

To frown

Wealthy

Awkward

Funeral

Naughty

A curse

Faith

Conflicting

You hide in the past

Ghosts

Under a spell

To reconcile

Junk

Am I boring you?

Slimy

A strange bird

A fine

My eyes and ears