Opinion / Fernando Augusto Pacheco
Opening ceremony
“Father, son and the house of Gucci.” When I heard Lady Gaga (pictured) say those words in the trailer for forthcoming film House of Gucci, I knew I’d have to book seats for the opening night this week. The singer plays the infamous Patrizia Reggiani, who was convicted for hiring a hitman to kill her former husband Maurizio Gucci. The trailer verges on camp with 1980s outfits, a Blondie soundtrack and thick accents.
There’s nothing better than a film that delivers murder and glamour. And I’ve missed the times when movies such as House of Gucci enjoyed big releases, complete with magazine covers, red-carpet premieres and the sort of anticipation from fans that nowadays is often reserved for films with superheroes or those set in other galaxies.
And there’s more to come. November and December are traditionally an excellent time for cinema and, after a year of uncertainty, there will be a few delights on offer this year. Jane Campion is back with an epic western (The Power of the Dog); there’s the daring Palme d’Or winner Titane; and Nicole Kidman playing Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos. But for now all of my attention is focused on House of Gucci. To quote another line from Lady Gaga’s character, spoken over the beat of the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams” in the film’s trailer, “Wealth, style, power: who wouldn’t kill for that?”