Pretty Woman

1990 Comedy Drama

Self-involved corporate raider Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) has recently split up with his girlfriend. Seeking directions to the Beverly Hills Hotel, he makes the acquaintance of free-spirited hooker Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) and decides to put her on a 3,000-dollar retainer as his "date." He Cinderellarizes her by bankrolling a full wardrobe and cosmetic makeover. Of course, the setup will be strictly platonic. A disarming modern-day fairy tale, Pretty Woman was the picture that made Julia Roberts a superstar. As charming as she is in her "giggling" sequences, Roberts' best scene is her triumphant return to a posh Rodeo Drive shop where she'd been previously snubbed. Keeping Pretty Woman afloat throughout is the buoyant direction of Garry Marshall and the always welcome presence of Marshall's stock company of actors, including Hector Elizondo as a stuffy but golden-hearted concierge. Pretty Woman began its life as a much darker story of prostitutes and homicidal drug dealers, but more box-office-savvy heads ultimately prevailed. more..

Director: Garry Marshall

Starring: Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, Hector Elizondo, Ralph Bellamy,Jason Alexander

Reviews

  • Something special.

    Elvis Mitchell - The New York Times

    26 April 2013

  • The sweetest and most openhearted love fable since "The Princess Bride."

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    26 April 2013

  • A modern-day treatment of Pygmalion and Cinderella rolled into one, it is graced by first-class performances from two easy-on-the-eye stars and a sharp, funny script.

    - Empire

    26 April 2013

  • For the first time in years (even counting his excellent work in "Internal Affairs"), Richard Gere's acting gears aren't too obviously apparent; Julia Roberts, though the breadth of her emotional range remains in question, is beautiful and can act - a not-bad blueprint for continued employment.

    Mike Clark - USA Today

    26 April 2013

  • The message is plain: Men, especially rich men, have all the power. So be sure to do what they tell you, and maybe they'll treat you nicely... It's not one I like to hear.

    David Sterritt - Christian Science Monitor

    26 April 2013

Awards

  • Best Actress in a Leading Role

    Academy Awards (1991)

     
  • Best Actress

    BAFTA Awards (1991)

     
  • James Newton Howard

    BMI Film & TV Awards (1991)

  • Best Foreign Film (Meilleur film étranger)

    César Awards, France (1991)

     
  • Best Foreign Actress (Migliore Attrice Straniera)

    David di Donatello Awards (1991)