Last Monday I went to the cinema to see House of Gucci and, on Friday, to the Poliorama, to laugh out loud with the show Not talent by the great Judit Martín. Definitely, it was a week of contrasts or perhaps not as much as it seems... We'll know soon, as Carles Porta would say. House of Gucci tells the story, inspired by real events, of how Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) conspires to kill her ex-husband, Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver), grandson and heir of designer Guccio Gucci. The film ---personally, I found it quite weak, but that's beside the point now--- portrays three decades of struggle for control of the Italian brand by some members of the clan and how the fascination with power, money, luxury and spite lead Patrizia to become "Italy's black widow".
Although it's hard to believe, at the Poliorama, I was thinking precisely about the Gucci lineage, while I was cracking up with Judit's monologue. Not talent is presented as a hymn to mediocrity, a show to celebrate failure and, certainly, this is its common thread, although, of course, its protagonist ---in 2018 she was the first woman to receive the Gat Perich International Humor Award--- is overflowing with talent. I say I thought of the Guccis because during the show the comedian explains how people lacking talent have to manage to succeed in the world of art or creation and there is a character in Ridley Scott's film who follows her decalogue to the letter. This is Paolo Gucci (Jared Leto), the archetype of the creator ---excessive, maniacal, extravagant, difficult--- but, lo and behold, lacking talent.
The world of fashion is full of these histrionic characters who, in life, delight the gossip press and, if they have the misfortune to suffer a violent death, also what we now call true crime. It is always more juicy to tell a murder surrounded by luxury and glamour than by misery. A few years ago we already saw this in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. The formula of House of Gucci is more or less the same, but I dare say with more discreet results.
Although it's hard to believe, on Friday, at the Poliorama, I was thinking precisely about the Gucci lineage, while I was cracking up with Judit Martín's monologue.All of this has coincided in time with one of the economic news stories of the year: Marta Ortega's arrival to the presidency of Inditex.The lineage of the Ortegas seems to have little to do with that of the Guccis, although in reality we know little of what goes on behind closed doors in their offices and dining rooms. For decades, Amancio Ortega built his textile empire completely away from the media spotlight. In fact, until a few years ago, the general public didn't even know what he looked like. His heiress, despite being a regular in the gossip press ---I imagine much to her regret---, had never granted an interview until this autumn when she broke her silence inWSJ Magazine(the magazine ofThe Wall Street Journal).
Given to speculation, perhaps the Ortegas are more similar to the Roys, the fictional family that stars in the successful Succession and that makes Mondays the best day of the week for its numerous followers because that's when its new episodes premiere on HBO. In the series, Logan Roy, the patriarch, controls a conglomerate of media and entertainment companies with an iron fist, surrounded by his four children. His offspring spend their days conspiring and stabbing each other in the back to seize power of the family empire the day the old man kicks the bucket. Oedipus and Electra complex in all its splendor.
There is an idea that hovers over House of Gucci, Succession and, in fact, all stories inspired by great power dynasties: talent is not inherited. From the Poliorama stage, Judit would possibly add that it doesn't matter if these daddy's boys and girls don't have talent because, luckily for them, money and power are inherited. From the audience, I imagine I wouldn't know whether to laugh or cry.
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