Meretricious

Rating: 4/10 (19 May 2006)

Roberts isn't the only pretty thing here, the lead actor has to be pretty, too, for this to work. The Cinderella/Prince mirage is stretched thin, considering Gere did his own famous turn as a prostitute.
This is all about Marshall's camera being 'at the beck and call' of the stars -- what else can you expect from a TV director? -- every shot is aimed at flattery. This aspect really couldn't be more venal.
Thematically, this is "My Fair Lady", without the wager. It adds to the illusion of 'happenstance'. The subplot of the business deal tends toward "Local Hero" with the ironic last minute change of heart.
There was a huge opportunity to make something self-referentially rich out of this -- 'part of the soul' if you believe the writer's airy proclamations -- within the performance of Verdi's "La Traviata". But notice how in the middle of this, the camera keeps gravitating right back towards the featured couple...yes, it's a complete sellout.