HOUSE OF GUCCI Review / LICORICE PIZZA Review — 2 of My Most Anticipated Films of the Year

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Lisa Johnson Mandell’s House of Gucci review and Licorice Pizza review reveal the many strengths and few weaknesses of both films.

House of Gucci Review

House of Gucci Review Licorice pizza reviewIn anticipation of Ridley Scott’s latest epic, I read Sara Gay Forden‘s remarkable The House of Gucci, upon which the film was based. So much intrigue, family feuding, crime and drama in that family, it makes Succession look like Mother Goose.

I couldn’t wait to see what would happen to the true story of one of the world’s most chic and infamous fashion houses, where the brothers, cousins and nephews relentlessly squabbled and stabbed each other in the back, ultimately drawing the wrath of a woman scorned, resulting in murder.

With a super-star cast including Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jared Leto, Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons and Salma Hayek, how could you miss? It seems director Ridley Scott didn’t miss…often.

As you’ve heard, Gaga was grand and Driver was divine. The others were at the top of their games as well, although a bit sidelined, which is a shame. I would have loved to see them all unleashed. But there was so much material to cover, and the film already spanned over two hours… what’s a director to do? I also would have liked to see more glamorous fashion, but I’m not sure what should be left out to add that in.

In essence, House of Gucci is a compelling tale, based on true life incidents that are too lurid to be fiction. Cinematography, score, set design, costumes and performances are all worth strutting out to see. The film definitely makes my top 10 list of 2021.

Rated R

2 Hours 36 Minutes

Licorice Pizza Review

House of Gucci Review Licorice pizza reviewI was greatly anticipating Paul Thomas Anderson‘s 1970’s tale about coming of age in his beloved San Fernando Valley, not only because PTA is one of my favorite directors, but also because he grew up just a few blocks away from my own home in the Valley, and I knew I’d see some familiar haunts. I wasn’t disappointed.

I think many viewers, however, may be a little puzzled and impatient with the film’s leisurely, loosely structured plot. Following a 15-year-old, struggling actor as he woos a comely 25-year-old woman, starts a waterbed store that turns into a pinball palace, and has oddball interactions with celebrities of the time and place, is a bit of a reach.

But I’m going to give you a few little bits of information that will help you stick with it:

  1. The main protagonist, Gary Valentine, is charmingly played by Cooper Hoffman, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman‘s son. PTA enthusiasts know that the senior Hoffman and PTA worked together on several films, including The Master, Punch-Drunk Love,  Magnolia and Boogie Nights. It’s intriguing to watch the younger Hoffman’ performance.
  2. Cooper Hoffman’s character is based on Gary Goetzman, a friend of PTA, and the co-founder of Tom Hanks’ production company, Playtone. Some of these events really did happen — but not all.
  3. Gary’s love interest, Alana Kane, is played by sublime newcomer Alana Haim, of popular alt rock group Haim. Watch for her sisters/bandmates, plus her parents, playing her film family. That knowledge adds delicious dimension.
  4. Wait for some outrageous cameos from Bradley Cooper as an obnoxious Jon Peters, Sean Penn playing a William Holden type, Tom Waits as a film production hand and Ben Safdie portraying an L.A. politician. Their performances are high points.
  5. The title, Licorice Pizza, is also the name of a chain of record stores that were popular in Southern California at the time. My big sister bought a few 45s there.

Put all those elements together along with an electric but inspiring soundtrack, and you have one of PTA’s less dramatic, but more good natured works yet.

Rated R

2 Hours 13 Minutes

If Lisa Johnson Mandell’s House of Gucci review and Licorice Pizza review make you want to run out to your local cineplex to see them, get times and tickets at Fandango.com.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s House of Gucci review and Licorice Pizza review reveal the many strengths and few weaknesses of both films.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Lisa Johnson Mandell

Lisa Johnson Mandell is an award winning journalist, author and film/TV critic. She can be heard regularly on Cumulus radio stations throughout the US, and seen on Rotten Tomatoes. She is the author of three bestselling books, and spends as much of her free time as possible with her husband Jim and her jolly therapy Labradoodle Frankie Feldman.

1 Comment

  1. […] Bradley Cooper stars as Stan Carlisle in Guillermo del Toro’s Nightmare Alley— he’s a shady, charming grifter with no qualms when it comes to manipulating marks as well as loved ones. Carlisle wasn’t born to the midway, though—he wandered in, seeking a place to hide in proverbial plain sight following a horrific event that’s got him on the lam from the law. Brazen and bold, he quickly climbs the carny ladder, making it from odd-jobber to headlining mentalist in no time. […]

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