HOUSE OF VERSACE


Canada, 2013, 85 minutes, Colour.
Gina Gershon, Enrico Colantoni, Colm Feore, Donna Murphy, Raquel Welch.
Directed by Sarah Sugarman.

The House of Versace was famous at the end of the 20th century, an Italian fashion company, rivalling Armani. Gianni achieved fame as a designer. Assisting him, and often clashing with him, was his sister, Donatella. She also had a talent for design, but not as strong as her brothers. She had a capacity for making contacts, for entertaining – rather lavishly.

For those audiences interested in fashion, there will be a lot to enjoy in this film, many scenes in the design room, the making of the clothes, the catwalk, the famous people wearing Versace dresses, seen in a prologue. However, he was murdered in Florida by a serial killer and his sister had to take over.

Initially successful, she ran the company into the ground with bad decisions, less fashionable clothes, excessive spending. She also was a drinker and took cocaine. Ultimately, the family, including her daughter who inherited everything from her uncle, stood their ground against Donatella and forced her to go to rehab. This was successful and, while she was there, she said she talked with ordinary women and understood their clothing needs. This was the basis for a comeback, ready to wear clothes and then moving back to success in fashion.

The films are star vehicle for Gina Gershon, completely persuasive as Donatella. Enrico Colantoni is Gianni, and Colm Fiore is Santo, the business manager of the company. And supporting roles include Raquel Welch as Lucia and Donna Murphy as chief dressmaker.

The film is directed by British Sarah Sugarman, Very Annie Mary, Mad Cows.

1. Audience interest in the Versace family, tragedies, their fashion house and success? The initial celebrities, actresses, Princess Diana, commenting on Versace?

2. The role of Gianni Versace, his company, design, exhibitions, success? The support of Donatella? Their clashes, love for each other, her shrewdness, promotion and connections? And his business sense, exasperation with his brother and sister?

3. The Italian settings? Milan? The workshop, the offices, homes? Scenes in Florida?

4. The 1990s, the fashion world, design, rivalries, Armani? The constant work, the drive for success, the effect on the individuals and their lives, their families?

5. Gianni Versace, the background of the family, building up the company, world success, his stormy relationship with his sister, her shrewdness, his petulance? His relationship with Antonio? Comfortable with his homosexuality? His love for Allegra, designing for her? His relationship with the staff? The criticisms of Santo? The success of the exhibitions, appearing on the catwalk? Spending money? His going to Florida? The suddenness of his murder?

6. The serial killer, Versace in a succession of murders? The effect on the family?

7. His will, eliminating his brother and sister, everything going to Allegra, age 18 and to take over the company? Donatella and her anger? Suspicions of Lucia?

8. Lucia, her presence, looking after the family, her continued concern, her being hurt? Helping Donatella, the recovery, wearing the glamorous clothes?

9. The decisions about the company, Donatella continuing, the hard work on the exhibition so soon after Gianni’s death? The effect on her?

10. The succeeding years, her past taking of cocaine, smoking, drinking? Devotion to her children but her absence? Her relationship with her husband, his support, being edged out, his confrontation with her and leaving? Petulance, firing people, relying on Maria? The company going downhill, losing money, the new board, the takeover? Allegra and her agreeing to the decisions?

11. Donatella, persuaded to go into rehab, the effect on her? The return, the apologies? Her saying she had met ordinary women, knew their needs, started new designs? The hard work, the workers returning, collaboration? Success of the new clothes? Achievement?

12. The picture of the children, Allegra and her devotion to her mother, the recital, the dress, the grief at her uncle’s death, Diana at his funeral, supporting
the family, the clothes, the impact of her death? Her brother, support of his mother? The family sequences, love, tensions, moves to America?

13. The final success, Santo and his approval? The final information, Donatella and her ready to wear line, returning to haute couture.