Julia Roberts absolutely winning

Rating: 7/10 (14 January 2015)

Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) is a successful corporate raider who doesn't spend the time on his personal life. While leaving a party, he is blocked in and takes Philip (Jason Alexander)'s new car. He's unfamiliar with the stick shift and hopelessly lost. Prostitute Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) is out of money after her roommate Kit De Luca (Laura San Giacomo) wastes it on drugs. She helps him with directions for a price. He invites her up and hires her for the night. She just doesn't kiss on the mouth. He's in town to do a business deal and hires her for $3000 for the week. The hotel manager Barnard Thompson (Hector Elizondo) takes pity on the girl.
Watching it again recently, the prostitution stuff is hopelessly unreal. Of course, it's a fantasy but there are things that are way too broad. Vivian is insanely clueless when she first walks into the hotel. She's probably the first virginal prostitute ever. At least, that's the note that the movie is trying to hit. If it wasn't for Julia Roberts, this would completely collapse. As it turns out, it's a good "My Fair Lady" rip-off.