Pretty Woman

Pretty Woman is a 1990 American romantic comedy film directed by Garry Marshall, from a screenplay by J. F. Lawton. The film stars Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, and features Hector Elizondo, Ralph Bellamy (in his final performance), Laura San Giacomo, and Jason Alexander in supporting roles. The film's story centers on down-on-her-luck Hollywood sex worker Vivian Ward, who is hired by Edward Lewis, a wealthy businessman, to be his escort for several business and social functions, and their developing relationship over the course of her week-long stay with him.
Originally intended to be a dark cautionary tale about class and sex work in Los Angeles, the film was reconceived as a romantic comedy with a large budget. It was widely successful at the box office and was the third highest-grossing film of 1990. The film saw the highest number of ticket sales in the US ever for a romantic comedy, with Box Office Mojo listing it as the number-one romantic comedy by the highest estimated domestic tickets sold at 42,176,400, slightly ahead of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) at 41,419,500 tickets. The film received positive reviews, with Roberts's performance being praised, for which she received a Golden Globe Award and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. In addition, screenwriter J. F. Lawton was nominated for a Writers Guild Award and a BAFTA Award.
== Plot ==
Edward Lewis, a powerful corporate raider from NYC, acquires and dismantles struggling companies, selling their assets for profit. He invites his girlfriend, Jessica, to join him on a business trip, but she grows weary of being at his constant beck and call and decides to end their relationship.
One night, while leaving a business party in the Hollywood Hills, Edward takes his lawyer Philip's Lotus Esprit sports car and unintentionally finds himself in the city's red-light district on Hollywood Boulevard. It is here he meets Vivian Ward, a prostitute.
Lost and struggling to operate the manual transmission car, Edward pays Vivian to show him the way to the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Impulsively, Edward hires Vivian for the night and, despite initial awkwardness, finds her charming and ultimately has sex with her.
The following day, Edward asks Vivian to accompany him during a week-long series of business events he must attend while attempting to acquire Jim Morse's shipbuilding company. After some negotiation, Edward offers Vivian $3,000 which she excitedly accepts. He gives her money to buy appropriate clothes.
However, when she tries to shop on Rodeo Drive, she is turned away by snobbish and rude saleswomen. She turns to Barney, the hotel's manager, for assistance. He teaches her proper etiquette and helps her purchase a cocktail dress for an important business dinner that evening, with the help of Bridget, an upscale store sales lady who is very kind to Vivian.
Afterwards, and running late, Edward is astounded by Vivian’s new look. During the dinner, Edward introduces Vivian to Morse and his grandson, David. The latter is being groomed to take over the company after his grandfather dies. The business meeting does not go well, and the Morses are unimpressed by Edward's offer to purchase and break up their company.
Edward takes notice of Vivian's transformation and becomes more open with her. He reveals details about his personal and business life, including his estranged relationship with his late father, Carter, at the time of his death.
When Philip suspects that Vivian is a corporate spy after seeing her talking to David at a polo game, Edward reveals the true nature of their relationship. However, Philip later crudely propositions Vivian to buy her services after Edward is finished with her. She feels hurt and angry that Edward exposed her in that way. He apologizes, admitting that he was jealous of Vivian talking to David and acknowledging that her straightforward personality is having a positive effect on him.
Edward takes Vivian by private jet to see La traviata at the San Francisco Opera, a story about a prostitute who falls in love with a wealthy man. The story moves her, and she breaks her "no kissing" rule before having sex with him. After believing Edward has fallen asleep, Vivian confesses her love for him.
As Edward's return to New York draws near, he offers to help Vivian get off the streets by suggesting that he put her up in a nice condo and provide her with an allowance. He promises to visit her regularly. However, Vivian is offended by the offer, feeling that Edward is now treating her like a prostitute. She tells her childhood fantasy of being rescued from her abusive home by a knight on a white steed.
Edward meets with Morse, but having been changed by his experience with Vivian, chooses to work with him to save his company instead of dismantling it. Meanwhile, as Philip is furious that Edward's new direction has cost him a fortune, he goes to the hotel to confront him. However, he only finds Vivian. Blaming her for Edward's changing character and angry at his business decision, Philip attempts to rape her. When Edward arrives, he punches him and fires him for his behavior.
After completing his business in LA, Edward asks Vivian to stay with him for one more night. However, he makes it clear that she should only do so if she wants to, not because he is paying her. Vivian gently refuses and leaves.
This rejection prompts Edward to re-evaluate his life, and while being driven to the airport, asks the chauffeur to detour to Vivian's apartment building. He climbs out of the white limousine's sunroof and ascends the fire escape to 'rescue' Vivian, just like the knight in her childhood fantasy.
== Cast ==
* Richard Gere as Edward Lewis, a rich corporate raider from New York who hires Vivian to be his escort for a week
* Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward, a free-spirited Hollywood prostitute
* Ralph Bellamy as Jim Morse, owner of Morse Industries, a troubled shipbuilding company Edward plans to take over
* Jason Alexander as Philip Stuckey, Edward's insensitive lawyer
* Héctor Elizondo as Barnard "Barney" Thompson, the dignified and soft-hearted hotel manager
* Laura San Giacomo as Kit De Luca, Vivian's sarcastic wisecracking best friend and roommate who taught her the prostitution trade
* Alex Hyde-White as David Morse, Jim Morse's grandson, who is being groomed to take over the Morses' shipbuilding company
* Amy Yasbeck as Elizabeth Stuckey, Philip's wife
* Elinor Donahue as Bridget, a friend of Barney Thompson who works in a women's clothing store
* John David Carson as Mark Roth, a businessman in Edward's office
* Judith Baldwin as Susan, one of Edward's ex-girlfriends whom he runs into at Phil's party at the beginning of the film. She has recently married and Edward's secretary was a bridesmaid.
* Patrick Richwood as Night Elevator Operator Dennis
* James Patrick Stuart as Dennis Rowland, the day bellhop
* Dey Young as a snobbish saleswoman in a clothing store
* Larry Miller as Mr. Hollister, the manager of a clothing store where Vivian buys her new wardrobe
* Hank Azaria as a detective (Film Debut)
Category:1990 films
Category:Touchstone Pictures films
Category:Rated R
Category:Films starring Richard Gere
Category:Films starring Julia Roberts
Category:Comedy
Category:Romance
Category:Films on VHS
Category:Films on Laserdiscs
Category:1990s comedy films
Category:THX
Category:Pages containing Mature Content
Category:1:85:1 Aspect Ratio Films