Pretty Woman (1990)

A model romantic comedy, a contemporary Cinderella tale and one of the favorite films of girls and women all over the world, - all this is about Pretty Woman. It is one of those rare movies which can not boast significant awards, but the great love of viewers wholly compensates it. Thousands of viewers know Pretty Woman by heart but always enjoy watching it. No matter if you see this motion picture for your first or twenty first time, you will laugh at funny moments and cry at touching ones with the same sincerity.

In the center of the movie there is an amazing love story of a millionaire and a prostitute. Impossible? Maybe, anywhere except Hollywood. In this place where dreams come true, even a fallen Cinderella has a chance to meet her Prince Charming.

This 1990 comedy directed by Gary Marshall lit one of the brightest Hollywood and made the whole world fall in love with Julia Roberts' broad smile and flyaway red hair. Her performance is by all means the main zest of the movie. Her heroine Vivian Ward evolves from a vulgar hooker into a charming lady. However, the unique non-conventional beauty of Julia Roberts is equally harmonious and fascinating when framed with jackboots and a miniskirt or a luxurious evening dress.

A rich businessman Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) loses his way and stops to ask someone for help. By chance he meets Vivian who shows him directions and offers her services. Divorced and depressed, Edward accepts her offer and takes her for a week to escort him. For Vivian it seems to be the greatest chance of her life. It’s not hard to guess that the two of them will inevitably fall in love. The paradox of the movie is that these two people are absolutely no match from the viewpoint of reason and logic, though in fact they seem made for each other. The images created by Gere ad Roberts have proved the world-old truth that extremes meet, and even a millionaire and a prostitute can live happily ever after.

The duet of Roberts and Gere was so successful and harmonious that they re-united nine years later in Runaway Bride.

Though Julia Roberts has played a lot in drama movies since Pretty Woman, she is still frequently associated with the charming image of Vivian Ward. She has proved her being a serious dramatic actress having received an Academy Award for her Erin Brockovich. However, the roles in romantic comedies seem to be more natural for this beautiful actress. Her recent work of this kind is the role in Larry Crowne, where she starred with Tom Hanks.

Her partner Richard Gere also turned out to be a versatile actor, who can perform equally stunning in comedies, musicals (Chicago) and historical adventure movies (First Knight). One of his latest works, Hachiko: A Dog’s Story, touched the hearts of millions of film-goers all over the world.
Another interesting fact about Pretty Woman is that it was originally planned as a serious and dark drama movie about prostitution, brutish instincts and other mean sides of human nature. Being transformed into a romantic comedy, Pretty Woman appeared an inspiring and optimistic story about pure and sincere love, hope and happiness. To cut it short, Pretty Woman is an unquestionable masterpiece.

Another thing we adore it for is the splendid soundtrack. The scene when Vivian walks down Rodeo drive in her ridiculous jackboots to Roy Orbison’s "Pretty Woman" gives you an impulse to throw yourself into a dance, while the final episode accompanied with the romantic ballade "It must have been love" by Roxette is sure to melt even the coldest heart and make you cry.