Pretty Woman

 

‘Well I’m not trying to land him, I’m just using him for sex.’ – Vivian



Pretty Woman is one of those films that I was vaguely aware off but know nothing about it other than it’s supposed to be good. And after watching it, I’ve concluded that good is an understatement when describing the film’s effortless cool charm.

The 1990 romantic comedy film follows fledgling prostitute Vivian Ward as she spends time with businessman Edward Lewis and struggles to keep things professional.

Julia Roberts took on this role in the beginning years of her acting career and, similarly to Vivian, was still finding her feet. Vivian still finding her feet in her promiscuous job made her the best person to spend the weekend with Edward as anyone else with more experience would probably think twice about his proposition. Vivian isn’t even confident about what her nightly rates should be having to ask her friend Kitty how much she should charge, let along if it's a good idea to spend the weekend with a client. She also makes the mistake of trying to rush Edward into sex when they first meet, when spending more time with him could earn her more money.

Edward too is out of his depths as he had never had someone challenge him as much Vivian. His closest ally Philip has spent their entire relationship trying to appease him. The loud entrance Vivian makes into Edward’s life makes him question himself and his job, things which were once certainties.

It doesn’t take long for Ward and Lewis to fall for each other, but it takes significantly longer for the two to admit it, as they struggle to keep up their walls of professionalism. The romantic chemistry between the two is always clear even when they argue. The way that they ultimately blend together, shows them to be two sides of the same coin. 

The romance in Pretty Woman is unconcealed while the comedy is much less overt. There are few remarkable comedic moments, but I cackled when Philip refers to Vivian as a ‘bargain basement streetwalker’ which is crude and creative phrase that I wouldn’t be surprised if it found its way into Succession. This along with Vivian’s suggestion that all men are taught how to abuse women makes the films most outrageous comedy the most memorable.

Pretty Woman allowed its stars to shine as there wasn’t any other action or storyline to distract from them. This movies success and that of the other films where Roberts and Richard Gere starred across from each other, it’s safe to say they know romance..



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