Pretty Woman - Thirty years on...

Pretty Woman

This is a piece I wrote for the magazine romance.com. To read the full article, with Giffs, click on this LINK.

Pretty Woman, starring Julia Roberts as the irrepressible and beautiful Vivian, and Richard Gere as the charming and handsome Edward, was first released in 1990. This romantic comedy, thirty years on, with a dynamic reminiscent of Pygmalion and My Fair Lady, is a romantic comedy that is not only still popular, but in many ways has stood the test of time. Though maybe not the shoulder pads…

First and foremost, Pretty Woman is remarkable because of Julia Roberts, who dominates every scene she appears in as Vivian not only because of the character’s beauty, but her humour, intelligence and spirit. She might be a call girl but she is fundamentally a working girl, striving to support herself on her own terms, and to eventually go to college. As in many romantic comedies, her professional life becomes entangled with her personal life as she falls in love with her client, Edward. Richard Gere plays his role to great effect—keeping the spotlight very firmly on Vivian where it belongs.

In her rejection of Edward because she wants ‘the fairy tale,’ her ultimate goal is something that money won’t buy— she will only achieve true happiness with a man who values her as she is. 

While the movie has elements that are problematic today (and were also controversial when the movie was released), Robert’s characterisation allows me to enjoy the good bits—while hoping that some elements would be treated differently if the movie were to be remade.

There are quite a few memorable moments, including these!

When Vivian is refused service at a Rodeo Drive boutique, she ends up shopping elsewhere. She returns to the shop at the end of the day, holds out her shopping bags and delivers the memorable line: ‘Big mistake. Big. Huge.’

Beneath Vivian’s wig is her wild untamed hair. It does get tamed in the makeover but… fundamentally it is very much a product of her true self.

Vivian not only walks out on Edward and his money, she teaches him that money alone can’t make him happy, so by the end of the movie, it is Edward who will be seen as the loser if he doesn’t get his act together. Vivian is effervescent. And Edward’s understated transition from unsettled to absolutely smitten has many heartwarming moments.