Pretty Woman Movie Review - A Timeless Romance That Questions Society
Have you ever judged people for what they do for a living? Have you ever thought of yourself as better than others because they chose a different way of life? Pretty Woman is the one film that pushed people to question their perspectives by highlighting how choices are often similar even when they appear worlds apart. In fact, in an iconic moment, Edward told Vivian, "You and I are such similar creatures, Vivian. We both screw people for money." If you're curious about these parallels, read on for one of the most exciting movie plots.
What's the Fuss About Pretty Woman
Three decades later, Pretty Woman is still one of the most praised films of its time. So, what's the deal?
The movie starts by introducing the audience to Edward Lewis (played by Richard Gere), a wealthy man who makes his money by singling out struggling businesses and buying them at a profit. He's visiting Los Angeles (LA) on a business deal and borrows a sports car from his lawyer to make it to a party in the hills. However, he gets lost in the streets of LA, which is how he first meets Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts), a prostitute who has street smarts. Stranded, Edward asks Vivian to help him get back to his hotel, and she agrees. As they make their way back, he discovers just how charming she is and invites her to stay the night.
The following day, Edward, who Vivian now enthrals, asks her to spend more time with him in exchange for a $3,000 payout. He informs her that he will need her presence at social gatherings and business events. Not one to miss out on an opportunity, Vivian agrees. However, her image needs some work, and Edward gives her the money to revamp her attire to match high society.
Vivian's Transformation
Feeling like Cinderella with a fairy godmother, Vivian heads to Rodeo Drive, hoping to buy some clothes. It is here that she encounters snobbish salespeople who take one look at her and ignore her. Devastated, she goes back to the hotel, where she seeks help from the hotel manager, Barney. Having worked in the industry, he knows just where and how to get luxury clothes, and he helps Vivian transform herself into the vision of beauty that she already is. As her exterior changes, so does her confidence, and she starts feeling much better about herself.
Edward's Change of Heart
With Vivian looking the part and Edward enjoying her wit and company, their arrangement starts showing gaps as they start developing feelings for each other. What's more, Edward shows Vivian a whole new life where people wield power and money while Vivian walks him through a world where emotions and humanity take centre stage. Soon enough, they start sharing their deepest hopes and fears. Vivian wants a better life, while Edward wants to work on his relationship challenges - their conversations are raw and vulnerable.
Society's Reaction to Their Relationship
But outside their cocoon, the world is not as accepting of their relationship. In fact, Edward's lawyer looks at Vivian as a setback to Edward's business and does not hold back on his contempt. With Edward's new outlook on life, given his time with Vivian, he takes a step back to reassess what matters to him. Eventually, he realizes that Vivian is exactly what he has been looking for and refuses to let the world tell him who he can love.
At this point, he decides to face his fears, including those of heights. He makes it up the fire escape to her apartment, where he declares his love for her, letting her know that he cares for her beyond their arrangement, regardless of what people think. Vivian, who has loved him this whole time, accepts his gesture and embraces him. And just like that, they both get a happy ending, much like the one that Cinderella had!
Exploring the Legacy
It's safe to say that Pretty Woman challenged societal stereotypes to a whole new extent. Not only did it blur the lines between the 1% and the have-nots, but it also pushed the boundaries by challenging societal judgment regarding people's choices. But that's not all it did. This film also changed the romantic genre in the following ways:
- It paved the way for rom-coms. Rather than focusing purely on romance, this movie also had many funny moments, including the instance where Vivian's snail flew off her plate. Many other films followed suit.
- It pushed for chemistry. The bond between Vivian and Edwards was evident, which pushed more directors to go for more believable romantic interests.
- It inspired iconic lines. Statements such as "Big Mistake - Big - Huge" remain ingrained in people's minds after watching this film. In fact, people often use these lines in the media or even conversations, showing just how much they transcend the movie.
What's more, Julia Roberts' ability to capture the resilience, vulnerability, and wit that Vivian possessed allowed her to push her career to a new level, which saw her rise to the top echelons in the film industry.