House of Gucci: Lady Gaga and Jared Leto Looking for another Oscars
If you thought “Borat” (2006) began a pop culture craze with customers echoing lines for years, just wait till Lady Gaga’s portrayal of legendary murderess Patrizia Reggiani in Ridley Scott’s campy “House of Gucci” lands her as one of the leading contenders for best actress.
Gaga ticks off so many of the boxes that previous Oscar winners for the best actress have checked: she’s a beloved pop icon playing a gorgeous, batshit crazy fame and money-seeker. “She’s just like my first wife…” you can almost hear the old-timers saying over cigars.
Gaga, who is 35 years old, has previously won an Oscar for best original song for “Shallow” from Bradley Cooper’s 2018 film “A Star Is Born,” for which she was also nominated for best actress. She lost the acting award to Olivia Colman (“The Favourite”), who is up for it again this year for her role in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s dramatic “The Lost Daughter.” Is it possible for the Academy to award an acting trophy to someone who is just in her second feature film? Looking back at prior victors like Cher for “Moonstruck” (1987) and Barbra Streisand for “Funny Girl” (1968), it’s clear that the Academy has a soft spot for artists transitioning from one medium to another. Many of the major female contenders come from films that will have a harder time getting into the best picture contest, which benefits Gaga. If she’s in a cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Nicole Kidman, Penélope Cruz, and Kristen Stewart, voters may go toward the lighthearted and entertaining, which Gaga clearly is.
Jared Leto, a past Oscar winner for “Dallas Buyers Club” (2013) and a near-nominee for “The Little Things” earlier this year, could expect to return to the Dolby Theatre. With prosthetics and a receding hairline, he’s completely altered. The 49-year-old actor is dedicated to his work, and each role is an opportunity to play a different type of character. Gary Oldman’s portrayal of Winston Churchill in “Darkest Hour” might be comparable (2017). With the role of supporting actor being so flexible, and numerous individuals seeking credit for the same film (i.e., “Belfast” and “The Power of the Dog”), I wouldn’t rule out a second trophy for him, depending on the film’s overall result in the Academy. Jana Carboni, Giuliano Mariano, and Göran Lundström are expected to be recognized for their work in cosmetics and hairstyling, thus putting “Dune” and “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” in competition.
With two career nominations (“BlacKkKlansman” and “Marriage Story”), Adam Driver has three films this year, including “Annette” and Scott’s other film, “The Last Duel,” and while he is beloved by Academy voters, the category could be far too competitive this year for his unshowy performance to make a dent. Salma Hayek, a past candidate for “Frida,” is in the same boat (2002). Her part is too minor to make an impact; whereas “Silver Linings Playbook” (2012) and “American Hustle” (2013) both received all four acting nominations, “House of Gucci” appears to be a long chance.
The rest of the cast could make a SAG nomination committee appeal and be included in a cast ensemble lineup. Oscar winners Jeremy Irons and Al Pacino, as well as strong talents like Jack Huston and Camille Cottin, could help the group attract recognition.
Scott is a well-known individual in the industry who also serves as one of the producers. His career has been filled with highs and lows, with a few duds thrown in for good measure. He had three previous Oscar nods for best director — “Thelma & Louise” (1991), “Gladiator” (2000), and “Black Hawk Down” (2001) — and one for best producer for “The Martian” (2015). Is this the right one for you? This year, he’s doing double duty with “Gucci” and the epic “The Last Duel,” demonstrating that he’s continuously eager for new challenges. Looking back on one of his critically lambasted films, “The Counselor” (2013), you can see clues of the English filmmaker’s desire to tackle a story that is both narratively and artistically rich. His two films could split the vote, and “The Last Duel’s” mixed reaction is another issue.
The 164-minute crime drama is likely to divide audiences and critics, while it will undoubtedly have ardent fans. Screenwriters Roberto Bentivegna and Becky Johnston adapt Sara Gay Forden’s book “The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed” into two alternative narratives that may appeal to members of the writing branch. The Gucci family is the centre of one, with their corruption and betrayal highlighting their ascent and impending demise. That element is handled with deft accuracy, but the murder portion of the plot comes out of nowhere in such a big saga. More experienced screenwriters may struggle with the structure, but with the adapted script missing the depth of rivals, the funny screenplay could make a run for the prize.
So, where else would it be able to gain traction? Dariusz Wolski, who recently received his first Academy Award nomination for “News of the World,” provides the film an energetic look that may appeal to the American Society of Cinematographers. Janty Yates (“Gladiator”) designed the costumes, and the film could follow in the footsteps of another fashion-obsessed film, “Phantom Thread,” which won an Oscar (2017). Because Harry Gregson-Williams doesn’t have enough points to win over the music branch, voters should focus on “The Last Duel” to give him his first nomination.
The acting branch of the Academy now has ten nominations for best picture, making it the largest of the Academy’s many sections. It’s not often that the top category doesn’t coincide with such prominent figures in those races as Gaga and Leto are in contention to win. All I can say is thank your lucky stars that Halloween is gone because Patrizia re-creations will be everywhere next year.
United Artists Releasing/MGM will release “House of Gucci” in theatres on November 24.