Plot
Self-involved corporate raider Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) has recently split up with his girlfriend. Seeking directions to the Beverly Hills Hotel, he makes the acquaintance of free-spirited hooker Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) and decides to put her on a 3,000-dollar retainer as his "date." He Cinderellarizes her by bankrolling a full wardrobe and cosmetic makeover. Of course, the setup will be strictly platonic. A disarming modern-day fairy tale, Pretty Woman was the picture that made Julia Roberts a superstar. As charming as she is in her "giggling" sequences, Roberts' best scene is her triumphant return to a posh Rodeo Drive shop where she'd been previously snubbed. Keeping Pretty Woman afloat throughout is the buoyant direction of Garry Marshall and the always welcome presence of Marshall's stock company of actors, including Hector Elizondo as a stuffy but golden-hearted concierge. Pretty Woman began its life as a much darker story of prostitutes and homicidal drug dealers, but more box-office-savvy heads ultimately prevailed. ~ Hal Erickson, RoviReview
Pretty Woman was one of the most unexpected blockbusters of the early '90s. The film's leading man, Richard Gere, hadn't had a hit since 1983's An Officer and a Gentleman, and the young Julia Roberts had yet to attempt a leading role. The film was originally written as a gritty drama, which the studio and director Garry Marshall tempered into a charming if unlikely fairy tale, buoyed by the two leads' undeniable chemistry. The rest is box-office history: the picture eventually pulled in over 450 million dollars worldwide and became a cultural reference point. Some viewers criticized the film for its trivial depiction of prostitution, but Roberts' charming performance is in keeping with the film's light, romantic fantasy tone. She also received a Best Actress nomination later that year. ~ Brendon Hanley, RoviCast
- Richard Gere - Edward Lewis
- Julia Roberts - Vivian Ward
- Ralph Bellamy - James Morse
- Jason Alexander - Philip Stuckey
- Laura San Giacomo - Kit De Luca
Credit
David M. Haber - Art Director, Walter von Huene - Associate Producer, Dianne Crittenden - Casting, Gary W. Goldstein - Co-producer, Arnon Milchan - Co-producer, Steven E. Reuther - Co-producer, Marilyn Vance - Costume Designer, Bettiann Fishman - First Assistant Director, Garry Marshall - Director, Raja Gosnell - Editor, Priscilla Nedd - Editor, Laura Ziskin - Executive Producer, James Newton Howard - Composer (Music Score), Flea - Songwriter, Richard Gere - Songwriter, Kenny G. - Songwriter, Jane Wiedlin - Songwriter, Carlos Alomar - Songwriter, David Bowie - Songwriter, Sidney Clare - Songwriter, Peter Cox - Songwriter, Scott Cutler - Songwriter, David Foster - Songwriter, Anthony Kiedis - Songwriter, Bill LaBounty - Songwriter, Robert Palmer - Songwriter, Greg Prestopino - Songwriter, Matthew Wilder - Songwriter, Lauren Wood - Songwriter, Chad Smith - Songwriter, Thomas Pasatieri - Songwriter, Bob Mills - Makeup, Phil Caplan - Camera Operator, Michael Genne - Camera Operator, Albert Brenner - Production Designer, Charles Minsky - Cinematographer, Garry Lewis - Set Designer, Antoinette J. Gordon - Set Designer, Gary Zink - Special Effects, Jim Webb - Sound/Sound Designer, Rick Avery - Stunts, J.F. Lawton - Screenwriter, Stephen Metcalfe - Screenwriter, Lew Brown - Featured Music, John Lennon - Featured Music, Roy Orbison - Featured Music, Prince - Featured Music, Giuseppe Verdi - Featured Music, Antonio Vivaldi - Featured Music, Harry Warren - Featured Music, Spencer Williams - Featured Music| Pretty Village, Pretty Flame (1996 Film), Pretty Ugly People (2008 Film) | |
| Pretty Woman (1991 Film), Pretty Woman: The Music Videos (1990 Film) |
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