Pretty Woman (A or 4/4 stars)
Julia Roberts plays Vivian Ward, an attractive, free-spirited hooker with a good heart in 'Pretty Woman' (directed by Gary Marshall). Early in the film, she gets acquainted with a rich, ruthless corporate honcho named Edward Lewis (Richard Gere), while he is asking for directions to a hotel on Hollywood Boulevard. He likes her personality & hires her as an escort for some social events that he must attend; agreeing to pay her $3,000 for a week. She agrees to this; appreciating guilty pleasures such as staying in a 5-star hotel, getting an entirely new wardrobe (in a fantastic Rodeo Drive set piece), & a complete cosmetic make-over.
She was always 'pretty', but now she is sophisticated. During this time, Edward is involved in a huge business deal with James Monroe & his grandson David, which includes buying the company, dissolving it, & selling it for a large profit (Edward's main work objective, anyway). James Morse rejects Edward & the chapter closes down. In the meanwhile, Edward & Vivian's 'relationship' changes to friendship & she winds up falling in love with him. Romantic comedy & dramatic complications (such as miscommunications, business deals, & attempted rape) ensue.
Julia Roberts was good in Mystic Pizza, & eye-opening in Steel Magnolias ... but she has "arrived" now with 'Pretty Woman'. Whether she's strutting on Hollywood Blvd., singing in a bath tub (busting out to some Prince), dressed to the nines in a gorgeous red dress, giggling with Edward at her jewelry, crying at the opera, or taking it to some ladies who denied her in a posh Rodeo Drive shop (you want to cheer as she degrades the snooty shop workers) ... you fall for her. Vivian is a winning role anyway, but Julia Roberts' effervescence just brings it to life even more so. Hers may be the female performance of the year. Richard Gere is also good as Edward. He's cocky, yes. But he's also self-assured, sturdy, & quiet. We like Edward; even at the times when he's being a d*ck. Mostly, Gere does a great job making Julia Roberts look and seem as wonderful as she is. Hector Elizondo is superb as a stodgy, but warm-hearted concierge who befriends Vivian. And Laura San Giacomo - so good in Sex, Lies, & Videotape last year - will make you laugh as Vivian's tacky, but loveable fellow hooker pal.
'Pretty Woman' is a very special movie. In fact, it's probably one of the iconic romantic dramedies of the last few decades. Is the movie perfect? Well, no. Are there contrivances? Well, sure there are. This is a movie; an entertainment; not real life. I know that some critics aren't high on an assumed message of: rich men have power over less advantageous women. Or: men are too possessive. Or: if you're a woman, do what the nice, rich man tells you to & you may have a great life ahead of you. They find the film: misogynist. To all of that, I say: message schmessage. I don't know one person who finds major fault in this film, other than them saying something like: "eh, I'm not really into romantic movies that much".
In actuality, I think the film's message - if we're talking messages - is positive. It's about love trumping issues of money, power & shame. Edward gets to come down off of his pedestal. And he does so by giving Vivian a chance to start her life over. Both are better people together than apart. Both learn things from each other. Both are introduced to worlds they were not accustomed to prior. 'Pretty Woman' is well-shot, well-directed, well-written, funny, poignant, & everything in-between. If you're a movie lover, you'll probably appreciate this adult-driven, modern take on a Cinderella story.
She was always 'pretty', but now she is sophisticated. During this time, Edward is involved in a huge business deal with James Monroe & his grandson David, which includes buying the company, dissolving it, & selling it for a large profit (Edward's main work objective, anyway). James Morse rejects Edward & the chapter closes down. In the meanwhile, Edward & Vivian's 'relationship' changes to friendship & she winds up falling in love with him. Romantic comedy & dramatic complications (such as miscommunications, business deals, & attempted rape) ensue.
Julia Roberts was good in Mystic Pizza, & eye-opening in Steel Magnolias ... but she has "arrived" now with 'Pretty Woman'. Whether she's strutting on Hollywood Blvd., singing in a bath tub (busting out to some Prince), dressed to the nines in a gorgeous red dress, giggling with Edward at her jewelry, crying at the opera, or taking it to some ladies who denied her in a posh Rodeo Drive shop (you want to cheer as she degrades the snooty shop workers) ... you fall for her. Vivian is a winning role anyway, but Julia Roberts' effervescence just brings it to life even more so. Hers may be the female performance of the year. Richard Gere is also good as Edward. He's cocky, yes. But he's also self-assured, sturdy, & quiet. We like Edward; even at the times when he's being a d*ck. Mostly, Gere does a great job making Julia Roberts look and seem as wonderful as she is. Hector Elizondo is superb as a stodgy, but warm-hearted concierge who befriends Vivian. And Laura San Giacomo - so good in Sex, Lies, & Videotape last year - will make you laugh as Vivian's tacky, but loveable fellow hooker pal.
'Pretty Woman' is a very special movie. In fact, it's probably one of the iconic romantic dramedies of the last few decades. Is the movie perfect? Well, no. Are there contrivances? Well, sure there are. This is a movie; an entertainment; not real life. I know that some critics aren't high on an assumed message of: rich men have power over less advantageous women. Or: men are too possessive. Or: if you're a woman, do what the nice, rich man tells you to & you may have a great life ahead of you. They find the film: misogynist. To all of that, I say: message schmessage. I don't know one person who finds major fault in this film, other than them saying something like: "eh, I'm not really into romantic movies that much".
In actuality, I think the film's message - if we're talking messages - is positive. It's about love trumping issues of money, power & shame. Edward gets to come down off of his pedestal. And he does so by giving Vivian a chance to start her life over. Both are better people together than apart. Both learn things from each other. Both are introduced to worlds they were not accustomed to prior. 'Pretty Woman' is well-shot, well-directed, well-written, funny, poignant, & everything in-between. If you're a movie lover, you'll probably appreciate this adult-driven, modern take on a Cinderella story.