Pretty Woman (1990)

Cinderella Meets King Midas

"Pretty Woman" harks back to various well-trodden themes: the Pygmalion legend, the prostitute with a heart of gold, and the poor soul who teaches the wealthy person the true values in life. Julia Roberts is a hooker who is rescued from life on the streets by the wealthy and ruthless business tycoon Richard Gere, and she rescues him from a life of reckless power and greed by teaching him business ethics and morality. The audience, because of the acting, the L.A. setting, and the clever way the film was produced and directed, willingly suspends disbelief and accepts this adult fairy tale with its very suggestive sexual action and dialogue.
The film is well done and was very successful partly because of the romantic chemistry or alchemy that comes across in the love affair between Roberts and Gere. The scene in which Roberts is spellbound by "La Traviata" proves to Gere that she is a sensitive soul. (In that opera a hooker also falls for a wealthy man.) The way the two meet seems far-fetched. Do wealthy people really talk about and show off their wealth the way he does? And are they so lacking in street smarts?
Just scratch below the surface, and this hooker and tycoon are both nice people. It's a very watchable fairy tale. Great if you don't stop to analyze too much. Even the manager of the luxury hotel has a heart of gold. Just enjoy this Cinderella meets King Midas cotton candy of a movie.
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Clawed Back from the Dead August 28, 2008

Entertaining

Movie ratings are always very subjective, with one person's gem being another's trash. That said, I enjoyed the movie, despite it being a bit unrealistic. If your goal is just to be entertained you will likely enjoy this movie. If you are out to play movie critic you will find lots of problems. 4 stars August 18, 2008

Isn't it cute to be a hooker?

Hollywood took some of the most ludicris ideas and turned them into gold. While we have departed from the traditional "feel good" movie for anyone or anything and have more harsh realities in popular movies, this was one of the last few movies from the 80s / early 90s that made us think anything is possible. But still, a Hollywood hooker and a cut throat business tycoon? I guess it could happen.

This was the movie that launched Julia Roberts into superstardom, based on her photogenic appearence and charisma. Ever since, she has been annoying audiences because she can't seem to launch herself any further than that. Are we supposed to really believe that the Cinderella story can really be applied to a white collar businessman and a hooker who are holed up in a five star California hotel as the palace? Richard Gere and Julia Roberts are both so cute and cuddly. Instead of drug and alcohol abuse they are both clean and sober, cute to look at, and good hearted people at their core rather than the usual sleaze and dysfunction both would be bringing into the situation.

Three stars are for the role of Jason Alexander. He would rise to his own stardom as the bumbling George Costanza of Seinfeld fame, but to see him play a cut throat white collar businessman who would give a woman a beatdown put him in another light. Ha ha ha ... August 14, 2008

The movie is a reminder...all women are whores.

Worst movie and plot of all time. Women appeal to this movie because deep down, their all prostitutes who are looking to be rescued by a rich man. Richard Gere hires Julia Roberts(the whore) as his beyotch for the week for the amount of $3,000. After spending 6 days with her, roughly 4 to 5 hours a night, he decides he is in love with this whore. Now, Julia Roberts character(Vivian) over the course of the week seems to forget she is a prostitute, and gets easily offended when someone reminds her. Don't you know, billionaires fall for street whores every day! So, after knowing this buttwhore for 6 days(not even a week), Richard Gere's character(Edward) decides he wants to lower his IQ to that of the street whore, and proceeds to blow a billion dollar business deal and punch his longtime friend in the face over this hooker.
This could possibly be the worst movie of all time...even worse than Police Academy 9. Women will generally tell you this is a wonderful movie because it's a dream for all women. Flop on their backs, spread their legs, and some rich guy will make all their money problems go away.
They should have made a Pretty Woman 2, where the prostitute(Vivian) divorces the rich businessman(Edward) and proceeds to take half his money because she feels she is "entitled" to it. The movie is a reminder to all men though....women are all prostitutes, and don't ever lose sight of it!!!!!!! ...

August 4, 2008

5 Stars!!!

Fantastic movie! One I've seen over and over and never tire watching. Richard Gere is handsome, sweet and caring. Julia Roberts plays a hardworking, beautiful and selfless woman. Great cast and wonderful plot. Definitely a movie that will go down in history as one of the best! Highly recommended. August 2, 2008

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