Who knew it was so much fun to be a hooker? :-/

Rating: 7/10 (1 August 2007)

I had to use that tag line as my summary because I only saw it printed in black and white just now, and I couldn't believe that anyone exists who has enough chutzpah to consider using it! That's Hollywood for you, I suppose... How to commit a marketing bungle in one simple step.
Anyway, that hideous misjudgement is one of the only things that "Pretty Woman" gets wrong. It knows it's a fairytale and perfectly casts its own princess and Prince Charming to tell it. Most would agree that there's such a genuine innocence and sweetness about Julia Roberts when she smiles that it's easy to overlook how she's worlds away from the typical mold of a streetwalker.
Don't worry though, not everyone in this story is so gosh-darn wholesome. Sarcastic best friend Kit and snivelling little worm Stuckey are on hand to ground proceedings in reality at least a little bit. Kit in particular is a memorable confidante for our heroine, and makes me reflect that it's a hearty shame Laura San Giacomo never became a bigger star.
It's so gladdening to find a film that knows its characters so well that it can make us see past their profession and appreciate them as people. I have a feeling that the personalities involved hold the secret to the delightful charm it possesses, too.