Fairytale with a difference (Pretty Woman (DVD))

Member Name: linzeelou

Product:	Pretty Woman (DVD)
Date:	03/08/09 (93 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great cast, fantastic story

Disadvantages: None

Pretty Woman was released in 1990 by Touchstone Pictures and is a romantic comedy. It is rated 15 because of some strong language, mild nudity and infrequent violence and runs for 115 minutes.

Pretty Woman is one of today's biggest box office hits in it's genre, making $464 million worldwide, a huge mark up on the small $14 million budget.

Awards Won/ Nominated
- Golden Globe for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy (Julia Roberts) WON
- Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
- Golden Globe for Best Actor - Musical or Comedy (Richard Gere)
- Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture (Hector Elizondo)
- Writers Guild of America Award - Best Drama written directly for the screen (J.F. Lawton)

Plot
Edward is a successful business man on a trip to LA. He meets Vivian on Hollywood Boulevard when he's driving someone else's car and needs directions to his hotel. She slightly shocks him at first because as a prostitute, she won't do anything for free and charges him for the directions. Vivian gives him personal directions, and even gets to drive the car because she's better at it than him. As she is waiting to get the bus home, he asks her to come up to the hotel room for a while, deciding he isn't ready for her to go yet.

After their night together, Edwards wants to hire Vivian to be at his beck and call for the whole week, for the bargain price of $3000. He even gives her money for clothes as what she has with her is far from acceptable. During the week, the pair get to know each other better, she meets his 'friends' and attend some business matters together.

As the week goes on, Edward and Vivian get quite close and find themselves feeling very comfortable around each other. Vivian even breaks her rule of no kissing on the lips, realising that she's falling for him and Edward is very reluctant to let her go.

Cast
Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward
Richard Gere as Edward Lewis
Ralph Bellamy as James Morse
Jason Alexander as Philip Stuckey
John David Carson as Mark Roth
Laura San Giacomo as Kit De Luca
Alex Hyde-White as David Morse
Amy Yasbeck as Elizabeth Stuckey
Elinor Donahue as Bridget
Hector Elizondo as Barnard Thompson
Judith Baldwin as Susan

My opinion
Pretty Woman is a story of 2 characters from completely different worlds that don't think it will ever be possible for them to be together. I really think this will be a film that stands the test of time because it is a fairy tale with a difference. Everyone isn't super nice and some of the characters come from hard lives which people can relate to, although probably not the hooker part.

Pretty Woman was one of Julia Roberts' first major films and she was amazing considering this fact. Roberts played Vivian with genuine warmth and emotion. This film propelled her into the major star that she is today but Pretty Woman is still one of my favourite films with her in. Vivian's character was really interesting to watch as she went from a hooker just trying to make enough money to pay the rent to a woman out of her comfort zone with Edward's rich friends and associates.

Richard Gere plays Edward. For most of the film he came across as quite shy with Vivian and to begin with her didn't really know how to talk to her, or what to talk about. The two are complete opposites, Edward is quiet and reserved whereas Vivian is loud and brash. Even though Edward is rich and is very confident when it comes to business, he come across as warm and caring when it comes to Vivian and where she comes from.

The soundtrack to the film works really well and the songs just make it even more enjoyable. 'It must have been love' by Roxette has become a classic song and a major hit on karaoke. I thought each song fit the scenes perfectly such as Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison which was played when Vivian is shopping on Rodeo Drive and she has transformed from slutty prostitute, to the classy woman she really is. The soundtrack has a lot of good songs from the film and would be a great companion for any fan.

Some of my favourite lines:
Vivian: So, what's your name?
Edward Lewis: Edward.
Vivian: Really? That's my favourite name in the whole world.

Edward Lewis: You and I are such similar creatures Vivian. We both screw people for money.

Kit: Oh no, come on, you don't know that. Hey he asked you right? Maybe you guys could, like, um you know get a house together and, like, buy some diamonds and a horse. I don't know.

Edward Lewis: You make $100 an hour and you have a safety pin holding your boot up?

Trivia about the film
- The opera Richard Gere takes Julia Roberts to is La Traviata, which is about a prostitute who falls in love with a wealthy man.
- Richard Gere plays the piano scene himself and also wrote the music
- Several women turned down the role of Vivian including Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Connelly and Sarah Jessica Parker
- Sylvester Stallone turned down the role of Edward
- Julia Roberts was very nervous about the sex scene and it caused her to break out in hives

Overall, this will be one of my favourite films of all time and I don't think I can ever get bored of it. The ending always puts a huge smile on my face even though I know what is coming. For me, Pretty Woman is the ultimate chick flick.

Summary: A classic love story