Pretty Woman

Rating: 8/10 (16 January 2007)

I had seen this film a couple of times before, I slightly questioned the morals of the story, but I'm glad I watched it all over again to get a proper opinion, directed by Garry Marshall (Beaches, Runaway Bride, The Princess Diaries, Valentine's Day). Basically in Los Angeles, Edward Lewis (Golden Globe nominated Richard Gere) is a rich businessman, with his good lucks and wealth he could have any woman he wants, but he is a workaholic. One night he gets lost looking for Beverly Hills, he ends up on Hollywood Boulevard in the red light district, he encounters a prostitute named Vivian Ward (Golden Globe winning, and Oscar and BAFTA nominated Julia Roberts), mistaking him for a possible client her roommate and best friend Kit De Luca (Laura San Giacomo) encourages her to approach him. Edward makes a deal to pay Vivian if she will show him the way, he is intrigued by her and hires her to spend the night with him in his hotel penthouse apartment, she is surprised he does not instantly want sex, he treats her to champagne and strawberries, after watching television they do eventually have sex. Next morning Edward's attorney Phillip Stuckey (Jason Alexander) informs him he will need a date for upcoming events, so he offers to hire Vivian for the week, she advises him it will cost a lot, he agrees to $3,000, also giving her money and cards to spend on suitable elegant clothing. Vivian's unsophisticated and overly sexual appearance however causes her problems, she is snubbed by clothing store saleswomen, and hotel manager Barney Thompson (Héctor Elizondo) is initially hostile toward her, but he slowly changes his opinion and helps her find clothing and teaches her dinner etiquette. Edward is amazed by Vivan's transformation, but dinner does not go well as the plan is for him to take over the shipyard business of James Morse (Ralph Bellamy), before dismantling it to sell as real estate, Morse and his grandson David Morse (Alex Hyde-White) abandon the dinner in anger. Later at the hotel Edward reveals to Vivian that he lives with the memory that he did not speak to his father before he died 14 years ago, Vivian fails to cheer him up, but she later consoles him, and they end up having sex on the grand piano in the hotel lounge. The next day, Edward wants Vivian to buy one dress, she explains her upset at being snubbed, so he takes her to a store and makes sure the staff will serve them, he leaves Vivian with money and cards, she goes on a shopping spree, she even returns to the store she was snubbed in, telling the saleswomen they made a mistake, and announcing she "has to go shopping now", leaving them speechless. The following day Edward takes Vivian to a polo match, he is sponsoring the event and hopes to continue the deal with Morse, Phillip suspects something about Vivian, Edward assures him she is a hooker, Phillip insults Vivian revealing that he knows she is a sex worker, and suggesting he hires her when she is done with Edward. Vivian is angry with Edward for telling Phillip what she does and plans to leave, he apologises and persuades her to see out the week, assured she will stay they go out for the evening to the opera in San Francisco, she is clearly growing closer to him and convinces him to take the following day off. Edward and Vivian spend the day entirely together talking and enjoying each other's company, during the night Vivian breaks her "no kissing on the lips" rule, and they make love for the first time, and she admits that she loves him just before she falls asleep. Edward insults Vivian when he suggests and she rejects him putting her up in an apartment to be off the streets, he leaves her without resolving the situation, Kit comes to the hotel to collect her money, she realises Vivian is in love with Edward, and reluctantly encourages her to pursue a relationship with him. Edward is close to closing the deal with Morse, but changes his mind at the last minute, he always dreamed of building something rather than tearing it down, he wants to help Morse, Phillip is angry they will lose money and confronts Vivian, blaming her for Edward's change, he attempts to rape her, but Edward arrives in time to stop him and throw him out. The week has ended, Edward tries to convince Vivian to stay, not because he is paying her, but because she wants to, she leaves and returns to Kit's apartment, Edward is due to return to New York, but Barney subtly persuades him to go after Vivian, in the end Edward climbs up the fire escape with a bunch of flowers, Vivian is happy to see him, it ends with them declaring love for each other and passionately kissing. Also starring Amy Yasbeck as Elizabeth Stuckey, Elinor Donahue as Bridget, Judith Baldwin as Susan and The Nutty Professor's Larry Miller as Mr. Hollister. Roberts is enchanting as the beautiful hooker with a heart, Gere is likable as the good looking work-obsessed wealthy bachelor, together they make the story plausible, it has a well-written screenplay, great performances, it makes you laugh in the right places, and it is a love story you can get into, all together it's an enjoyable romantic comedy. It was nominated the BAFTAs for Best Costume Design, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film, it was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical. Richard Gere was number 76, and Julia Roberts number 29 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, and Gere was number 43 on The 100 Greatest Sex Symbols. Very good!