GAC grew from zero to $45 million in just a few years, but Gucci lost control of its quality factor; counterfeits flooded the market. INTERVIEW: Award-Winning Author Susan Furlong Plus Giveaway! As Patrizia confronted him furiously, he put his hands around her neck and lifted her tiny frame off the ground. But when Italys fiscal police showed up at his office with an arrest warrant, Maurizio was prepared. It was a lucrative, but destabilizing, move. Its evidence that Maurizio had forged Rodolfos signature on his share certificates to avoid paying inheritance taxes worth $8.5 million was damning. The homicide detectives examination of Maurizios body took an hour and a half. After that, Maurizio tried to cut ties with Patrizia. Meanwhile, Investcorp had bought up Maurizios cousins shares. Around the same time, Patrizia began to be plagued by headaches; she was incapacitated by pain. She turned to her friend Pina to entertain and distract her with tarot cards and banter. Meanwhile, Guccis service was the talk of the town. It is our hope to bring people back to the greatest past-time of allREADING! In 1944, they got married in Venice; their son, born in 1948, was christened in honor of Rodolfos acting days. Find a third party who would become a partner to Maurizio in redefining Gucci. Chapter 1: The beginning of a dynasty This in-fighting as well as the Guccis' inability to adapt to increased competition, professionalize their management and maintain the value of their brand name eventually caught up with them. The ashtray shattered behind Paolo, spraying him with glass shards. SPOTLIGHT: DEPTHS OF DECEIT by Laura Oles Plus Giveaway! Four months later, Maurizio was lying lifeless in a pool of blood. Maurizio had a strict curfew and, in the Gucci tradition, began working in the family business after school; on weekends, he and Rodolfo would retreat to the estate in Saint Moritz. June 2, 1998 marked Patrizias first day in court. Patrizia was the daughter of Silvana Barbieri, a former waitress, and Fernando Reggiani, the owner of a successful transport business in Milan. In June 1985, Aldo and his sons retaliated by providing a dossier to the authorities. Satin shirts, velvet pants, and mohair jackets turned heads on the runways and were raved about in fashion magazines. But much of the book is devoted to the in-fighting that developed among Guccio's sons and grandsons. If The Godfather and Succession had an ostentatious lovechild, it would look something like Ridley Scotts House of Gucci, the masters sweeping yet wildly imbalanced rendering of the titular and celebrated fashion empires scandalous history, full of backstabbing, betrayal, greed, and even murder. That confusing collection is House of Gucci, a film that would have benefited from a coherent silhouette and a little hemming of its tiresome runtime. He promoted the myth that the Guccis had once been noble saddlemakers, drawing design inspiration like the green and red webbing from equestrian pastimes. Aldo knew his hands were tied; with just 17 percent of Gucci America, he no longer had any authority. Perhaps more impressively, the designers impeccable suiting (made mostly bespoke by a NY-based tailor, with additional pieces by Ermenegildo Zegna) brings out the neatly combed Drivers masculine elegance in a way no film ever has. Patrizia was in love with Maurizio and her luxurious new life. Or is there a possibility she didnt do it at all? Patrizia admitted that her hatred of Maurizio had become an obsession: I didnt respect him anymore.. The press, meanwhile, portrayed Maurizio as a peacemaker on the family battlefield. Chapter 8: The Black Widows last stand With Maurizio gone, he had total freedom and came into his own as a designer. In other words, Gucci went from generating $60 million in profit to losing $60 million. To understand the story, Forden introduces readers to Guccio Gucci, the founder of the fledgling leather goods store in Italy. Maurizio begged his partners at Investcorp to give him more time. Heartbroken, Patrizia felt her world crumbling. Meanwhile, Rodolfo brooded with resentment and sadness at losing his only son. Based on the book by Sara Gay Forden, its a spicy enough foundation that comes with sufficient amounts of flamboyance, one that sees Lady Gaga convert into an ambitiously tacky character, features an unrecognizable Jared Leto dialing yet another transformative shtick up to eleven, and contains plenty of exaggerated English-spoken-with-an-Italian-accents that stretch and twist random words through cutely fluctuating emphases on every other syllable. The ""Gucci concept,"" a group of colors and designs largely derived from horse stables, didn't hurt either. In the meantime, he married Aida, a dressmaker, and had five children. Sara Gay Forden covered the Italian fashion industry from Milan for more than 15 years, chronicling the explosion of labels including Gucci, Armani, Versace, Prada and Ferragamo from family ateliers into mega brands. Thats what Guccio strove for and demanded. In fact, it was getting hard to keep up with demand in general, especially from international customers. (Forden does explain how the Gucci company has since made a comeback.) By partnering with Franois Pinault, another French billionaire who wanted to foray into Arnaults territory, Gucci effectively cut the takeover lords stake from 34 to 21 percent; Arnault was thus excluded from any future decision-making. To produce Guccis trademark leather, veal calves were fed in their stalls, which prevented any scratches. When he was younger, Maurizio had turned to Patrizia for support, but over the years hed become increasingly annoyed by her advice. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Unsurprisingly, visual design is how House of Gucci leaves its strongest impression. And Rodolfo designed Guccis most luxurious handbags and oversaw the Milan store. Whats in it for me? Customers thought Gucci was closing. The book is, at times, too detailed about fashion history and techniques, and some may find the author's use of dramatic re-creations annoying. But it was time to weather one final storm: a fierce takeover challenge by the French investor Bernard Arnault. Patrizia Reggiani had paid 600 million lire about $375,000 to have Maurizio killed. These summaries chronicle the Gucci familys inner turmoil and its fabulous fashion legacy.

In fact, not one of Maurizios relatives attended the wedding. By the mid-1960s, Guccis signature products like floral silk scarves and bamboo-handle leather bags had become status symbols among the fashionable elite. If only the cast could decide what kind of a movie they were all in. A member of the New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC), she regularly contributes toRogerEbert.com, Variety and Time Out New York, with bylines in Filmmaker Magazine, Film Journal International, Vulture, The Playlist and The Wrap, among other outlets. New York magazine ran a cover story titled The Rudest Store in New York. But it all just fueled Guccis cachet. As I made the transition to an e-reader, I found myself worrying that something could happen to it. The era of Maurizio has begun, Patrizia told everyone. Just two weeks after the New York store opened in 1953, Guccio died of a heart attack at the age of 72. INTERVIEW: With Movie Lover John DiLeo Plus Giveaway! That week, a shiny pair of sterling silver handcuffs featured in Gucci window displays around the world. He realized that the famous hotel guests liked showing off their taste and affluence. Over the years, hed been examining Guccis financial documents and found that millions of dollars were being transferred to offshore companies. Letos approach to the role instantly proves apt for Paolo, an incompetent businessman wannabe and an aspiring fashion designer with little taste and even less talent. After Guccios death, the sons divvied up the business. If he didnt pay up, his properties and stake in the company would be auctioned off. Maurizio Gucci was dead.

His debts mounted to $40 million. But these visuals are just a special-effects of sorts, elements that keep House of Gucci on its feet when the film trips on its overlong train elsewhere. The brutal 1995 murder of Maurizio Gucci, the grandson of the Gucci company founder, serves as entree into the history of one of the world's most glamorous fashion houses. She pushed her husband to become someone important: You have to show everyone you are the best. Aldo underestimated his nephews ambition. My name is Amy W., and I am a book addict. One day in 1921, Guccio was out for a walk when he saw a small storefront for rent. for the time being. Maurizio Gucci, heir to the fashion dynasty, had just bounded up the steps in his camel coat to start his day at the office. About the author. With a story set across Rome, Milan, New York and even the Alpswhere Maurizio and Patrizia vacation, and an incredible Camille Cottin makes an appearance as Maurizios romantic-interest-to-bethe movie highlights the luxury and lavishness of the Gucci lifestyle with grace and utmost attention to detail through Arthur Maxs intricate production design. All of this information serves as a basis for exploring the murder of Maurizio Gucci, the last Gucci family member to have had ownership in the company. Television cameras focused on Patrizia as the judge read her sentence: 29 years. By 1969, Gucci was selling over 80,000 pairs a year across the US. It had been two years since Maurizios death, and the investigation had stalled until the evening of January 8, 1997. He treated staff like extended family, in turn receiving everlasting loyalty, and used his wit to charm customers. I have diverse reading tastes, evident by the wide array of genres on my Kindle. He introduced new materials like wood and wicker and developed a line of lightweight but hardy travel bags using a special hemp cloth from Naples. I cant leave her. . Chapter 3: A rebellion, a rift, and a reunion, Those intrigued by a world of glitz and glamour, how Tom Ford got his big break in fashion; and. He then asked if the young couple would like to move to New York so Maurizio could work with Aldo. While in New York, hed absorbed Aldos teachings and had developed his own brand of charisma and infectious enthusiasm. Riding the coattails of Fords sparkling success, Investcorp decided to take Gucci public and needed to instate a new CEO. Chapter 6: Fall and triumph His screen name was Maurizio DAncora, and it was during an early film shoot that he fell in love with the actress Sandra Ravel, whose real name was Alessandra Winkelhausen. On March 27, 1995, Maurizio Gucci, heir to the fabulous fashion dynasty, was slain by an unknown gunman as he approached his Milan office. So in 1951, Rodolfo left acting to manage a new store in Milan.

He had a different dream: to become an actor. But Patrizia was determined for Rodolfo and her Mau to make up. After Vascos death, Aldos youngest son, Paolo, was put in charge of the factory in Florence. He thought itd compel Aldo to either let him launch his own line or invite him back into the business. This time, though, he was leaving Patrizia. An hour after hed stormed away from Rodolfo, Maurizio showed up at Patrizias home holding his suitcase with the trademark red and green Gucci stripe and begged her parents to take him in. Hed pitted his sons against each other, believing the competition would improve their performance. You come to it for a sophisticated boutique experience, but what you walk out of feels awfully close to an overstuffed department store. Gucci still represented class and style, but its glamour had waned in the face of new energy from labels like Armani and Versace. Shrewd as ever, Domenico De Sole guided Gucci through a surprising alliance that ultimately preserved the companys autonomy. But it was too late. Soon, the caller, Gabriele Carpanese, was sitting in Ninnis office, telling the whole story. 5-STAR REVIEW: HOUSE OF GUCCI by Sara Gay Forden, 5-STAR REVIEW: PEACE DREAMER by Cheryl Melody Baskin, 4-STAR REVIEW: THE FRIDAY NIGHT MYSTERY CLUB by Joanna Campbell Slan, 5-STAR REVIEW: DEPTHS OF DECEIT by Laura Oles, 4-STAR REVIEW: PRIDE OF LYONS by Jenna Jaxon, 5-STAR REVIEW: THE LIGHTNING ROD by Brad Meltzer, NEW RELEASE: MRS. ENGLAND by Stacey Halls, NEW RELEASE: A VERY MODERN MARRIAGE by Rachel Brimble, NEW RELEASE: STOLEN ANGELS by Rita Herron, NEW RELEASE: OUT FRONT THE FOLLOWING SEA by Leah Angstman. Maurizio was tall and awkward; he didnt drink or know how to make small talk. SPOTLIGHT: Return to Wylder by Maria Imbalzano Plus Giveaway! Then whats the problem, you might rightfully ask about a campy package that sounds wholly entertainingon a fashion-soaked, star-studded, feast-for-the-eyes canvas? , to coincide with the late November release of the film by the same name. She draws heavily on Italo Calvinos, Vanity Fair correspondent Pompeo debuts with a compulsively readable account of a sensational unsolved double murder a century ago. Highlighting the Pittsburgh, The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed, Blood & Ink: The Scandalous Jazz Age Murder That Hooked America on True Crime, A Coastline Is an Immeasurable Thing: A Memoir Across Three Continents, Half American: The Epic Story of African Americans Fighting World War II at Home and Abroad. When Patrizia emerged from her bedroom, Ninni could only gape in disbelief. Assembling a bag was in itself a work of art; involving up to 100 pieces, it took on average ten hours. That day, the shocking news monopolized the press: Maurizio Guccis ex-wife and four accomplices had been arrested for his murder. But Aldo wanted to go bigger he knew Gucci needed to conquer the American market to stay competitive. Fernando coddled her with expensive gifts, while Silvana groomed her for the future. He started to learn the ins and outs of the leather trade, and dreamed of opening his own shop someday. He still made monthly deposits averaging $100,000 into her bank account, but banned her from the Saint Moritz properties. The author re-creates that fateful day and the ensuing investigation leading to some bombshell findings. Leatherworkers then cured the hides and treated them with fishbone grease, yielding a soft and supple texture. Things hadnt been going well at home for a while now. To ease tensions, Aldo brought Paolo to New York in 1978. The stores were empty for three months. Did Patrizia murder her ex-husband because his spending was wildly out of control? Through it all, Salma Hayeks naive psychic Pina guides the increasingly distraught queen-bee Patrizia with prophecies about the future, lending the film some of its most hysterical scenes. Aldo, free to pursue expansion, traveled nonstop. He hired a young lawyer, Domenico De Sole, to help him draft a campaign to incorporate Gucci Parfums into Guccio Gucci; this would raise Rodolfos control in GAC from 20 to 50 percent. I couldnt put this book down until I finished the last page. Carpanese and his wife had recently moved back to Italy and were staying at a cheap hotel until they could find their own place. He bolted out the door, hopped on his red Kawasaki GPZ, put on a helmet to avoid being recognized, and made a beeline for the Saint Moritz estate in Switzerland. After Patrizias arrest, she was put in jail to await her trial. The resulting film rapidly loses steam in its last act, while it tails the ill-fated and once vulnerable Maurizio as he willingly steps to the dark side of his powers like a Michael Corleone with slicker fashion sense and revitalizes Gucci as the multi-billion-dollar premier designer we know today. But it was too late. Rodolfo, for his part, wanted nothing to do with the family business at least not at first. Luxury fashion had never been so accessible or visible. And the family was happy . This way youll grow tall! he yelled. Maurizios luck was turning. Chapter 3: A rebellion, a rift, and a reunion Spite and bad-blood brew amongst the clan throughout the story that spans three decades, especially after Patrizia sneakily talks Maurizio out of his law school dreams, muscles her way into the family business, and turns her husband against pretty much every member of the family. There, she learned that Maurizio planned to leave Saint Moritz the next day. As litigious feuds played out in the public eye, they often threatened to overshadow the familys amazing achievements in the world of haute couture: within 80 years, a poor dishwashers vision had evolved into international stardom through expansion savvy, unprecedented business overtures, and a new definition of style and status. (Reeve Carney makes a good up-and-coming Tom Ford in these segments.). Pap, Maurizio said. Hed burned through his cash and bet his future on speculative profits. Chapter 2: New generation, new direction Maurizio had promised to accompany her to midnight mass. Maurizios mother Alessandra had died of cancer when Maurizio was five, and hed grown up with his doting but protective father. Vendetta, she wrote in her diary, and negotiated a ruthless divorce settlement including a one-time payment of $550,000, an additional $846,000 per year, and a penthouse apartment. I could use a few extra inches! she sputtered. He had an arrest warrant for Patrizia. The key to it all? Buongiorno, Dottore! It was the morning of March 27, 1995, and doorman Giuseppe Onorato was sweeping the entryway at Via Palestro 20 in Milan. In May 1994, Dawn Mello resigned as creative director and Tom Ford, whod been single-handedly designing all of Guccis collections, took over. Now, imagine all these dissimilar looks on a hodgepodge runway thats supposed to reflect the voice of a single designer. Less than a month after the reconciliation, Maurizio and Patrizia settled in the Big Apple.

Meanwhile, Rodolfo had figured out Aldos strategy with Gucci Parfums. With Morgan Stanleys help, he brokered a deal with an investment bank called Investcorp to do just that. Chapter 4: Push and pull The divorce was ratified on November 19, 1994. Tomris Laffly is a freelance film writer and critic based in New York. SPOTLIGHT: THE FRIDAY NIGHT MYSTERY CLUB by Joanna Campbell Slan Plus Giveaway! She looked at him coyly and replied, I can assure you I am much better. It wouldnt be easy but Patrizia knew that if she played her cards right, shed soon possess one of Italys most glamorous names. ), but because it blazed new ground for those of us who believe provocative fiction is more than just an explicit cover. He wanted them gone. A second daughter soon followed. Celebrities like Elizabeth Hurley and Madonna modeled his looks at parties and award ceremonies. I will never forget the day I came home from junior high school to find my mom waiting for me with one of the Harlequin novels from my stash. And the Gucci empire grew and grew. as Giuseppina "Pina" Auriemma, Prime Video's Paper Girls is a Thrilling, Surprising Time Travel Adventure, Walking a Tightrope: Quinn Shephard on Not Okay, Creeping Panic: Rebecca Hall and Andrew Semans on Resurrection, Jacqueline Stewart, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Director and President, to Present Exhibition, Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898 -1971. On Sept. 16, 1922, at an abandoned farm, In her incandescent debut, Nigerian poet Daniel recounts her life on three continents, surrounded by stories that made up the fabric of her African upbringing. As Guccis financial difficulties grew, so did Maurizios. Their auspicious Christmas holiday had ended as had their marriage. After high school, Patrizia studied to be a translator. But Gucci was growing, and Guccio and Aldo needed help. He eliminated the canvas bags before Mello and her team were ready. To force him to step down as chairman, Investcorp charged him with mismanaging the company. Aldo held impromptu spaghetti dinners following concerts by his friend, the opera icon Luciano Pavarotti. He is the quality and class-insistent Rodolfos calculating brother, with a commercialist attitude that differs from his siblings when it comes to reviving Guccis flailing image in the 70s and rising above the brands whispered-about financial hardship. This was their chance to start over. As she was gearing up for the "you shouldn't be reading this" lecture, I told her the characters get married in the end. Available only in theaters starting November 24th. SPOTLIGHT: Edge of Dusk by Colleen Coble Plus Giveaway! Pale and haggard, Maurizio was a ghost of the enthusiastic man hed once been. She was wearing diamond jewels and a mink coat; she clutched a leather Gucci bag in her hands. It had been two years since Maurizios abrupt departure. Once asked if he had hobbies, he just laughed. One hot summer day, they were drinking and smoking when Savioni confided a secret: he had lined up Maurizio Guccis killers. A police car pulled up a few minutes later. I love her! Rodolfo was shocked. But Maurizio had been too hasty. Who hasnt heard of the Gucci brand? Patrizia had secretly attempted to bribe her into assuming the blame for Maurizios murder. Suddenly, four shots rang through the air. He was sure that sales would soon skyrocket. Forden traces how Guccio--and his descendants--used charisma and intuition, rather than trained business acumen, to create the handbag dynasty. He couldnt believe his luck. Daniel was born, The persistence of white supremacy in the U.S. means that the nation was not fully victorious in WWII, according to this revelatory history. As he looked on in confusion, Onorato saw Gucci slump to the ground in front of him. That evening, Maurizio stayed home while Patrizia attended a party by herself. Learning every detail of his life would take a lot longer three years, to be exact. (Sept.), Staid plumbs her travels in Italy as a college student to examine happiness, both intensive and sustained in her beautiful debut. On May 22, 1985, Maurizio had again packed a suitcase. They named their first daughter Alessandra after Maurizios mother, which thrilled Rodolfo. When Maurizio took over the board of directors by forming a grudging alliance with Paolo, Aldo was shocked. She then composed herself and wrote one word in her diary, in all caps: PARADEISOS, or paradise. That afternoon, she walked the few blocks from her apartment to where Maurizio had lived, rang the bell, and asked Paola to leave. Chapter 5: The era of Maurizio Maurizios story begins with his grandfather, Guccio Gucci. Drowning in gambling debts, Cicala had agreed to drive the getaway car. The soires evolved into gala benefits at his glamorous Gucci Galleria shop where guests sipped champagne, admired artwork by Gauguin, De Chirico, and Modigliani, and purchased limited-edition handbags and jewelry. You sense this tonal inconsistency elsewhere too, throughout the script by Becky Johnston and Roberto Bentivegna that alternates between a stern drama and a goofily heightened melodrama with a perverse sense of humor that scores various laughs, many of them unintentional. He may have died, she confided to a friend, but I have just begun to live..

The Gucci story is one of glitz, glamour, intrigue, the rise, near fall and subsequent resurgence of a fashion dynasty.

The House of Gucci (2000) tells the true story of the Gucci familys meteoric rise and near fall in the world of haute couture. During WW II, leather became scarce, so Guccio got creative. Suddenly he was back from exile and was the CEO of Gucci. When she heard the news, Patrizia burst into tears. But when the petite Patrizia entered in a bright red dress, high heels, and dramatic eye makeup, he was smitten. House of Gucci is packed with impeccable details (and an index) about this broken family dynasty.

By the 1950s, owning a Gucci bag equaled elegance, and celebrity customers like Eleanor Roosevelt and Grace Kelly flocked to the Italian stores. Long associated with luxury and the elite, the story behind the brand is filled with intrigue, drama, greed, and even murder. Maurizio had slashed $100 million in sales and added $30 million in expenses to refurbish his stores. November 22, 1982. He was determined to restore Guccis grandeur and knew he needed a clean slate. The lawyer Domenico De Sole, whod been promoted to president of Guccis US market, tried to persuade Maurizio to move more slowly: the canvas products were the bulk of Guccis US sales! The canvas cosmetic cases and tote bags would sell in department stores alongside Gucci fragrances. Her name was Allegra, or happy. But in the end, Patrizia and her accomplices were all found guilty. Neither she nor Pina confessed a word until March 1998, when Pina angrily broke her 15-month silence. Each day in her cell took the Black Widow, as the press dubbed her, further away from her gilded dreams. If you find this site valuable, please consider disabling your ad blocker. Then two more shots were fired, and as a man with a dark shock of hair ran away Onorato realized his own arm was bleeding. A larger-than-life tale of family, fashion, finance and murder. The depression dissipated; he bought a bicycle and started brainstorming new business ideas. As a young man, Maurizio began studying law in Milan, and Rodolfo warned him of social climbers women like Patrizia. Its perhaps helpful to quote a character here, who assigns the shorthand of a movie set to the propped and preppy Ralph Lauren, a rock concert to the vibrant showiness of Versace, and the Vatican of fashion to the refined legacy of Gucci. As the millennium dawned, Gucci had become a publicly traded behemoth worth $3 billion. She and the girls decorated the home with colorful garlands, candles, and mistletoe. She looked for Maurizio, who never appeared. He wanted to funnel company profits into a new business, Gucci Parfums, and introduce a new line: the Gucci Accessories Collection, or GAC. Posted on Published: March 18, 2022- Last updated: April 27, 2022, Home Book Summary: House of Gucci A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed, Technology for Curbside and BOPIS Boosts Customer Experience, Book Summary: 1491 New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus, If you have any submission, opinion, thinking, offers, invitation, tips, feedback, questions, and just about anything that can help, email: [emailprotected]* To ensure smooth delivery, please add [emailprotected] to your email safe senders list and whitelist paminy.comPUPUWEB Blog. forden And as Patrizia regained strength, she contemplated her revenge on Maurizio. But Paolo couldnt deal with his authoritarian father either. But chic, young working women in NYC soon embraced the loafers practical elegance and $32 price tag.

When Aldo heard of his plans, he was livid. At first, his shop was stocked with an elegantly curated collection of imported luggage. I'm just glad she didn't find the Bertrice Small book hidden in my closet. Long associated with luxury and the elite, the story behind the brand is filled with intrigue, drama, greed, and even murder. A daughter, Grimalda, was followed by four sons: Enzo, Aldo, Vasco, and Rodolfo. Give me a happily ever after, and I am downright giddy. Her longtime friend Pina Auriemma had acted as her intermediary; shed contacted Savioni, an old friend, whod then enlisted Orazio Cicala, a 56-year-old pizzeria owner. All Rodolfo could do was yell, Ill disinherit you!. Hed also excluded his daughter, Grimalda, from the company inheritance despite her years of loyalty simply because she was a woman. Gucci was on the up and up and up. He pushed for a Gucci concept of colors and styles to create an unmistakable brand identity. Quality. A fierce Lady Gaga leads the pack in an uneven performance, portraying Patrizia Reggianian assertive young woman from limited means who falls in love with and marries Maurizio Gucci (a disproportionately subdued Adam Driver), the dreamboat scion of the fashion house. He made crucial decisions though he always consulted his brothers first. The film carried a final message for Maurizio: True wisdom lies in what we can do with the real riches of this world beyond the ones we can trade or manage the riches of life, youth, friendship, love. Rodolfo worried about his son, whose zeal for the business and spending money was growing. Desperate, Maurizio secretly restarted production of the canvas collection in 1993. In 1998, his ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani Martinellinicknamed The Black Widow by the presswas sentenced to 29 years in prison, for arranging his murder. Full of plot twists fueled by passion and greed, it goes behind the brands shiny facade to reveal that all that glitters isnt gold. All of the players are laid out for public viewthe good, the bad, and the ugly. He was poised to bring fresh leadership to the family business. Also in the mix is Aldos son Paolo, brought to life by Jared Leto, whose outrageous (and extremely fun) gaudiness single-handedly earns the aforesaid rock concert analogy. INTERVIEW: With Cozy Mystery Author Pat Duggan Plus Giveaway! Whats in it for me? Did she do it because her glamorous ex was preparing to marry his mistress, Paola Franchi?