Pretty Woman
- For the song sometimes known as "Pretty Woman", see Oh, Pretty Woman.
| Pretty Woman | |
|---|---|
 Pretty Woman movie poster. | |
| Directed by | Garry Marshall |
| Written by | J.F. Lawton |
| Produced by | Arnon Milchan Steven Reuther |
| Starring | Richard Gere Julia Roberts Héctor Elizondo |
| Distributed by | Touchstone Pictures |
Release dates | March 23, 1990 |
Running time | 119 Mins 125 Mins Director's Cut |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $14,000,000 |
Pretty Woman is a 1990 American romantic comedy motion picture. The film centers around the title character, down-on-her-luck prostitute Vivian Ward, (Julia Roberts), who is hired by an exceedingly wealthy business man, Edward Lewis, (Richard Gere), to be his escort for several business functions, and their developing relationship.
Pretty Woman was initially intended to be a dark drama about prostitution in Los Angeles but was reconceptualized into a romantic comedy. The film was a critical success and became one of 1990's highest grossing films, and today is one of the most financially successful entries in the romantic comedy genre, with an estimated gross of $464 million USD.[1] Roberts received a Golden Globe Award for her role, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. Screenwriter J. F. Lawton was nominated for a Writers Guild Award and a BAFTA Award. The film was followed by a string of similar romantic comedies, including Runaway Bride, which teamed up Gere and Roberts once again due to Pretty Woman's success.
Plot
Corporate raider Edward Lewis (Gere) is having trouble driving the Lotus he has borrowed and stops to ask for directions on Hollywood Boulevard . Vivian, thinking he is trying to find "a date" walks over to his car. Vivian Ward (Roberts) is the hooker with a heart of gold. A lost Edward Lewis agrees to pay her for directions and rather than giving him the change she should, jumps in the car and offers to show him personally. On the way to his penthouse suite, Vivian comments on his bad driving and much to her surprise and delight he asks her to drive the rest of the way. Despite the Lotus's famously stiff clutch, she soldiers on and takes him to his hotel without mishap. Vivian, in spite of thinking she had him charmed is at first rejected by Edward and says she will return to her corner by taxi; when Edward sees her at the bus stop he offers to hire her for an hour, which after awkward conversation becomes a night.
Edward explains his business to her, which is to buy large businesses, break them up and sell them in smaller parts to make a profit. Vivian compares it to a chop shop, where stolen cars are cut up for parts and often sold for more than the whole car is worth. He acknowledges the validity of the comparison—for the first time.
The next day, Edward's lawyer Phil calls Edward and tells him that James Morse and his grandson David wish to meet with him to discuss Edward's plans to buy out their business. Edward decides to bring a date in order to keep the meeting social, and hires Vivian to spend the week with him, offering to pay her $3000. He gives her some money in order to buy a dress for the dinner, but when she attempts to shop on Rodeo Dr., the saleswomen snub her due to her streetwalker's clothing. She returns to the hotel distraught and Bernard, the manager of the hotel, befriends her and helps her buy a dress. He also gives her a lesson in table manners so that she will not be intimidated by seeing five forks.
That night, Vivian and Edward meet James and David Morse for dinner. During the meal, Vivian brings out the enlightened gentleman in the elderly Morse but the business discussion with Edward grows colder and colder. Everything about James Morse shames Edward and exposes his lack of real quality in spite of his financial status. The Morses express their anger over Edward's impending takeover of their company and finally storm out of the restaurant.
The next morning, Imi tells Edward of the saleswomen who had refused to help her. Edward accompanies her on a shopping spree. Their business relationship quickly develops into friendship, and Edward and Imi go on several dates and spend several evenings trading deep emotional insights they can't tell to anyone else. In an attempt to persuade Edward to abandon his self-discipline and understand "lower class" people she invites him to "veg out" in front of the TV. Despite her experience as a prostitute, Vivan finds herself falling in love with Edward.
Edward and Vivian go to a corporate polo match, where Vivian meets Phil and his wife Elizabeth. They also see David Morse, and Vivian has a friendly conversation with him. Curious to know more about Vivian, and suggesting she might be a spy for the Morses, Phil pesters Edward until he reveals that Vivian is actually a prostitute he picked up the night he borrowed Phil's car. Greatly amused at this revelation, Phil approaches Vivian and suggests that he hire her after Edward is done with her. She is hurt at what she perceives as Edward's betrayal and cheap treatment of her. On the way back to the hotel she ignores him, and when she gets back to the penthouse she tells him she is upset with how he treated her at the match. He tells her that he revealed her "secret" to Phil. She then proceeds to tell him she is leaving and that she wants her money; he throws the money on the bed and walks away. She gathers her clothes, but doesn't take the money. Edward comes back into the room and realizes she didn't take the money, so he goes after her. She is in the hallway waiting on the elevator when Edward comes out and apologizes. The elevator doors open after he apologizes and Vivian has to make a decision to go or stay. She decided to stay. After the elevator shuts she then proceeds to tell him: "You hurt me; don't do it again."
An idyllic few days ensue when Edward flies Vivian to Sans Francisco for an opera performance by private jet, dressing her in an haute couture gown and a diamond necklace and earring set valued at $250,000, lent to him by a famous jeweler.
As the time draws near for Edward to finalize his buyout of Morse Industries, he loses his bitter lust for vengeance against his father and decides to partner with Morse instead: to build ships, rather than breaking up a shipyard and selling it for scrap. Phil is shocked to hear this and later goes to Edward's hotel to confront him. He finds Vivian alone in the penthouse, and after blaming her for Edward's backing out of the takeover, attempts to jump on her. He slaps her and calls her a whore. Edward arrives and pulls Phil off Vivian; he punches Phil and kicks him out.
The week ends and Edward prepares to return to New York. Edward tells Vivian that he wants to see her again and offers to supply her with a condo, a car, and as much money as she needs. Vivian refuses and tells Edward that she wants the whole thing; commitment, or nothing at all. She describes for him a fantasy from her childhood: rescue from a tower by a knight on a white horse, and tells him that this is what she wants. She wants the fairy tale. Edward says that he cannot offer that, and before he leaves he tells her, "I've never treated you like prostitute." After he's gone. she whispers. "You just did". Vivian leaves before he gets back but says good-bye to Bernard first.
The next day, Edward checks out of the hotel. Bernard notices his pensiveness and remarks that Darryl, Edward's usual limo driver, had dropped Vivian off at her apartment the day before. Edward asks Darryl to drive him to her apartment in a white limousine; he arrives as Vivian is packing to go to San Francisco. He has flowers and opera music blaring from the limousine. He conquers his fear of heights and climbs the fire escape to her apartment on the top floor. Vivian meets him on the landing and he asks her what happens after the prince rescues her. She replies, "She rescues him right back", and they kiss each other warmly. And live happily ever after, in modern day terms.
Primary cast
- Richard Gere as Edward Lewis: A wealthy, unhappy and cynical businessman searching for an escort for a business dinner. He meets streetwalker Vivian Ward, and his relationship with her helps him regain his happiness.
- Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward: A financially-troubled prostitute. Her relationship with Edward offers her a way out of poverty.
- Ralph Bellamy as James "Jim" Morse: An elderly businessman whose company Edward is trying to buy.
- Jason Alexander as Philip Stuckey: Edward's self-centered, sexist lawyer.
- Laura San Giacomo as Kit De Luca: A prostitute. Vivian's best-friend and roommate.
- Hector Elizondo as Bernard Thompson: The manager of the hotel where Edward is staying. He quickly sees that Vivian is not Edward's niece and helps her in the way a real uncle would, making possible Vivian's transformation.
- Hank Azaria as Detective (on Hollywood Blvd.)
- Alex Hyde-White as David Morse: James Morse's grandson. He is being groomed to take over the family business.
- Amy Yasbeck as Elizabeth Stuckey: Philip's wife
- Elinor Donahue as Bridget
Production
Pre-production
Pretty Woman was initially intended to be a dark drama about prostitution in Los Angeles in the late 1980s early 1990s. The relationship between Vivian and Edward also harbored controversial themes, including the concept of having Vivian addicted to cocaine; part of the deal was that she had to stay off it for a week. She needed the money to go to Disneyland. Edward eventually throws her out of his car and drives off. The movie was scripted to end with Vivian and her prostitute friend on the bus to Disneyland. These traits, considered by producer Laura Ziskin to be detrimental to the otherwise sympathetic portrayal of her, were removed or incorporated into the character of Vivian's friend, Kit. These "cut scenes" have been found in public view, and some were included on the DVD released on the movie's 15th anniversary. One such scene has Vivian offering Edward, "I could just pop ya good and be on my way", indicating a lack of interest in "pillow talk". In another, she is confronted by drug dealers outside of The Blue Banana, and rescued by Edward.
Inspirations for the film could have been drawn from the Pygmalion myth. It also bears striking resemblances to George Bernard Shaw's play of the same name, which also formed the basis for the Broadway musical My Fair Lady. It was then Disney Studio President Jeffrey Katzenberg who insisted it should be re-written as a modern-day fairy tale, instead of being the dark story it was in the original script titled 3,000.[2] It also has unconfirmed references to That Touch of Mink, starring Doris Day and Cary Grant.
The male lead is a businessman, Edward Lewis (played by Richard Gere). While ruthless in business — he is a "corporate raider" — he is portrayed as intelligent, sensitive, and pensive, unlike the more common stereotype of the late 1980s financial tycoon as coarse and narcissistic (and often nouveau riche). Asking for directions to his hotel, he meets a prostitute, Vivian. (In the United States, as in much of the world, prostitutes who work on the streets come disproportionately from the lower classes, and Vivian suffers from financial desperation.) Because of her deprived background, she is naïve and unaware of basic manners, resulting in mild embarrassment for herself and Edward, who handles it with cheerful, unpretentious good-nature. In contrast to class and occupational archetypes — she's charismatic, kind, and perceptive. During the time spent together, Vivian learns from Edward the virtue of manners and money and Edward learns from Vivian the virtue of treating everyone with respect. Of course, an unlikely love relationship grows between Edward and Vivian, and throughout the movie they struggle with the differences in social class and values.
Casting of Pretty Woman was a rather lengthy process. Marshall had initially considered Christopher Reeve for the role of Lewis, and Al Pacino turned it down.[3] Pacino went as far as doing a casting reading with Roberts before turning the leading role down.[4] Gere agreed to the project. Reportedly, Gere started off much more active in his role, but Garry Marshall took him aside and said "No, no, no. Richard. In this movie, one of you moves and one of you doesn't. Guess which one you are?" Julia Roberts was far from the first choice for the role of Vivian, it went to many successful A-list actresses including Molly Ringwald (The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles and Pretty in Pink) who turned it down because she felt uncomfortable with the content in the script, and didn't like the idea of playing a prostitute. She has stated in several interviews that she regrets turning the role down. Meg Ryan, who was a top choice of Marshall's, turned it down. Michelle Pfeiffer turned the role down as well, because she didn't like the "tone" of the script[5]. Daryl Hannah also was considered, but turned the role down because she believed it was "degrading to women" [6]. A runner-up for the role Valeria Golino turned it down, because she didn't think the movie could work with her thick Italian accent. Jennifer Jason Leigh had auditioned for the part, but later decided not to do the movie after she read the script. [7]. When all the other actresses turned down the role, Julia Roberts, who was relatively unknown at the time, with the exception of the film Steel Magnolias, was able to win the role.
Filming
Pretty Woman's budget was not limited, therefore producers could acquire as many locations as possible for shooting on their estimated $14,000,000 . The majority of the film was shot in Los Angeles, California, to be specific, in Beverly Hills. The escargot restaurant scene was filmed at the Rex, now called Cicada. Filming commenced on July 24, 1989, but was immediately plagued by countless problems, including issues with space and time. This included Ferrari and Porsche, who had declined the product placement opportunity of the car Edward drove, because they did not want to be associated with soliciting prostitutes. Lotus Cars UK saw the placement value with such a major feature film. This gamble paid off as Esprit sales tripled in 1990-1991. The company supplied a Silver 1989.5 Esprit SE, which was later sold. The film's primary shooting was completed on October 18, 1989.
Music
Pretty Woman is noted for its musical selections and launched a hugely successful soundtrack. The film features the song "Oh, Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison, the title of which inspired that of the movie. Roxette's "It Must Have Been Love" reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1990. The soundtrack also features "King of Wishful Thinking" by Go West, "Show Me Your Soul" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, "No Explanation" by Peter Cetera, "Wild Women Do" by Natalie Cole and "Fallen" by Lauren Wood.
The opera featured in the movie is La Traviata, which also served as inspiration for the plot of the movie. The piano piece which Richard Gere's character plays in the hotel lobby was composed by and performed by Gere.
Controversy and Reaction
Possibly due to the controversial subject matter, the movie was heavily edited. Groundbreaking on account of its sympathetic depiction of an occupation thought dishonorable and indecent by most Americans, the film has been described as featuring "a prostitute with a heart of gold," whch is essentially true. It has also been criticised for making prostitution seem attractive. Following its release, the film was blamed by the media for an influx of prostitutes into affluent areas.
Pretty Woman did not originate the hooker with a heart of gold genre. Shirley Maclaine made two movies of this type, Some Came Running and Irma la Douce, and she wasn't vilified for doing them.
In pop culture
 | This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. (October 2007) |
- In a season six episode of Law & Order with the murder victim being a prostitute a one time suspect references the flim "Richard Gere picks up Julia Roberts they make a billion dollars off of it."
- The 2001 film The Princess Diaries, a parallel to the Pretty Woman film, has many of the same supporting cast members and the same lines used in Pretty Woman. Garry Marshall is the director of both films and they are both made at Disney (though Pretty Woman was released under the Touchstone Pictures banner). In The Princess Diaries 2, Allan Kent's character catches the ring he says "It happens all the time", a reference to the snails scene. Violetta's aria, "Sempre libera degg'io" from La traviata is briefly heard in both Pretty Woman and The Princess Diaries 2.
- Mentioned in Ugly Betty episode "East Side Story".
- Plot and scenes referenced and spoofed in an episode of The Lizzie McGuire Show
- In The Sweetest Thing, the scene in which Gere gives Roberts the diamond necklace and snaps it closed on her fingers is parodied by Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate.
- In Shrek 2 Pretty Woman was mentioned on a list of fairy tales when The Fairy Godmother told Shrek that fairy tales don't have ogres. The Producer of Shrek 2, Jeffrey Katzenberg, was the Disney executive that guided Pretty Woman.
- In an episode of The Simpsons, Marge Simpson mistakenly confuses Erin Brokovich (a character Roberts played in the film of the same name) with Pretty Woman.
- In the romantic film spoof Date Movie (2006) the scene in which Roberts walks around Beverly Hills to "Oh Pretty Woman" is parodied. However, instead of Roberts' character being a female, it is reversed to a male.
- In the 30 Rock episode "Black Tie", Jack gives Liz a necklace and snaps the box down on her fingers. Instead of laughing like Vivian does in the film, Liz angrily yells at him for hurting her hand. Both Liz and Vivian were wearing a red dress in the scene.
- In the beginning scenes of Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, the main characters Romy and Michele are watching this movie on TV and making fun of the scene where Vivian is being scorned by saleswomen in a boutique.
- In the movie She's All That, Rachel Lee Cook's character utters the line, "I feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman ... except for that whole hooker thing".
- Pretty Woman has been mentioned twice on the show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air first, the youngest child Ashley wants to know about sex, and when it is suggested that they give her a realistic portrayal of relationships, her ditzy older sister Hilary suggests renting Pretty Woman. Next, Little T's agent says that before he came along, Pretty Woman was named Attractive Woman.
- In an episode of The Chappelle's Show, Dave Chappelle comically depicts the real way a story such as Pretty Woman would have gone in a parody of the film.
Awards
Won:
Nominated:
- BAFTA Award for Best Film
- Academy Award for Best Actress (Julia Roberts)
- Golden Globe Awards
- Writers Guild of America Award for Best Drama Written Directly for the Screen (J.F. Lawton)
References
- ^ "[[Box Office Mojo]]". Retrieved 2007-07-12.
{{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help) - ^ Stewart, James B DisneyWar, page 110. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005. ISBN 978-0-74-326709-0
- ^ Pretty Woman casting information and trivia at IMDB; accessed May 17, 2007.
- ^ Al Pacino interview by Larry King transcript [1].
- ^ http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/hannah%20pleased%20to%20decline%20pretty%20woman%20offer_1023365
- ^ http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/hannah%20pleased%20to%20decline%20pretty%20woman%20offer_1023365
- ^ http://nymag.com/nymetro/arts/theater/15247/
See also
- Runaway Bride (1999 film) A film in which both main actors and the director reappear from the same studio, but this time, it is a co-production with another studio (Paramount Pictures).