Director: Garry Marshall
Starring: Julia Roberts, Richard Gere and Jason Alexander
‘A Captivating Romantic Classic’
Prostitution is a sensitive subject that’s rarely portrayed in movies with respect. Hollywood has commonly struggled to tell stories of hookers engaging in sexual activities. When depicting the lives of prostitutes in movies, filmmakers often fall prey to harmful sexual stereotypes. Prostitutes are always depicted as objects of sexual desire rather than real people that have feelings. A complicated profession which has always been misunderstood, prostitution is scarcely ever depicted accurately in movies. Due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter, movies rarely ever manage to depict it from a realistic point-of-view. A profession involving complex emotions, prostitution is scarcely portrayed in films with compassion. For these reasons, it’s rare to see realistic depictions of prostitution in commemorated movies.
In an industry where movies have glamorized the profession of prostitution, “Pretty Woman” stands out as an exception. Released in 1990, Garry Marshall’s film did an extraordinary job of depicting the profession of prostitution on the big-screen. Packed with powerful production-design, sharp storytelling and amazing acting, it’s a remarkable romantic comedy. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Julia Roberts, who embodies a prostitute which has dreams of becoming a pretty woman. Ultimately, the movie delivers a meaningful message on prostitution which will resonate with everyone. Unlike most romantic comedies made during the 1990’s, it has aged incredibly well over time. A timeless romantic classic about prostitution, there are several strong reasons why it’s a movie which is worth watching.
“Pretty Woman” tells the story of the romance between a businessman and prostitute that’s a pretty woman. Richard Gere portrays Edward Lewis, a wealthy corporate businessman that has ambitions of success. Edward is a career-oriented man which has little time in his life for any romance. However, Edward’s life forever changes when he falls in love with the hooker Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts). Instantly attracted to Vivian, Edward finds her to be a loyal companion. What starts out as a business relationship soon blossoms into an unexpected romance. As Edward’s affair catches a public eye, his business reputation is put on the line. Facing a dilemma, Edward questions whether it’s possible for him to pursue romance with prostitutes attracting media.
Garry Marshall is a newcomer towards themes of prostitution. Before he had directed “Pretty Woman”, Marshall had never made a romance before. Marshall was known for his dramas on dark subjects, It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of prostitutes seeking success, but he pulled it off effectively. Using stunning cinematography, Marshall captures romance between an escort and wealthy businessman. Marshall effectively uses montages capturing the bonds between a businessman and prostitute. For instance, the montages elevate the shopping scene. During this memorable scene, Edward and Vivian go on a trip shopping for fashion accessories. Using montages, Marshall creates a strong romance that audiences can easily relate to. Montages are tricky techniques. As Ryan Murphy’s “Eat Pray Love” suggested, montages enhance literature adaptations. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Marshall constructs a romance involving prostitutes that is compelling.
Another admirable aspect of “Pretty Woman” worth discussing is the production. The film is extremely well-made, and effectively uses set-design to convey the lifestyle of a businessman that’s rich. Throughout the film, Edward’s penthouse apartment showcases his status as a wealthy businessman. For instance, the sets elevate the apartment scene. During this memorable scene, Edward has his first ever hookup with Vivian in his apartment. One appreciates the production-design that captures the lives of businessmen which are wealthy. Furthermore, the musical score is dazzling. James Newton Howard’s music is integral towards the success of the movie. It captures the emotions of pretty women pursuing success in the profession of prostitution. Through phenomenal production-design, the filmmaker captures businessmen that shine.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Pretty Woman” is a romantic film that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses symbolism to capture the hardships faced by prostitutes. In Hollywood most movies often portray prostitutes as helpless victims facing a painful price to pay. Prostitutes are often depicted as sexual objects for male pleasure rather than real people with problems. That being said, “Pretty woman” avoids these negative stereotypes. Marshall effectively uses symbolism to capture the lives of prostitutes that are complicated. For instance, diamond necklaces are a meaningful symbol that play a pivotal role in the movie. Throughout the film, the diamond necklace becomes a symbol of hardships faced by prostitutes. Using this clever symbolism, Marshall creates a strong female character audiences can easily relate to. Symbolism is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” suggested, symbolism elevates shining horror movies. Nevertheless, it works really well in this movie. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Marshall creates a commemorated romance today.
One admires astonishing performances.
Julia Roberts delivers one of her finest career performances as Vivian. Roberts first earned appreciation for playing women gatecrashing their best friend’s weddings. With “Pretty Woman”, however, she embodied her most challenging role. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a prostitute that seeks prosperity but she succeeds. With strong expressions, she captures the angst, curiosity and sexual nature of a prostitute that falls in love with a businessman that’s wealthy. It’s a role that allowed the actress the opportunity to showcase her natural charisma. It’s a powerful performance that launched the prosperous career of one of the greatest actresses working today.
Richard Gere is remarkable as a businessman that pursues a romantic affair with a prostitute threatening to destroy his career. While Roberts gets the showier role, Gere is equally excellent as a businessman keeping his emotions under control. As Edward, Gere expertly uses silence to capture a personality of a businessman that’s in love. Whether he’s silently watching Vivian in astonishment or struggling to come to grips with past business decisions, Gere uses silences to create a businessman that’s compelling. It’s a tricky role that required strong commitment but Gere succeeded tremendously. It’s a strong performance from one of the greatest actors working today.
Finally, “Pretty Woman” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing the struggles of pretty women in prostitution. Unlike most romantic comedies made in the 1990’s, the movie tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses universal themes such as identity, marriage and career which would strike a chord with everyone. The film delivers a strong message about dangers of prostitution that will resonate with everyone. For a film made in the 1990’s, its message has aged incredibly over time and remains relevant today. Therefore, “Pretty Woman” is one of those rare romantic comedies which everyone will adore.
Fans of Julia Roberts will definitely appreciate “Pretty Woman” and so will movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A captivating romantic classic, it captures the catastrophic realities faced by prostitutes struggling to survive in a profession that’s tragic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of an iconic classic about pretty women in prostitution falling in love with wealthy businessmen attracting attention, it’s a powerful reminder of a film that changed the world forever through its realistic depiction of the dangers faced by women pursuing careers in prostitution that has the potential to raise awareness of the hardships faced by prostitutes that engage in sexual activity causing repercussions whose stories that rarely receive media attention are worthy of celebration.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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