Review of Pretty Woman (1990) by Kai82 — 11 Sep 2022

A cult classic that I would describe as love story that feels like a modern fairy tale. The charming story and great lead actors made this a remarkable experience. Also it is one of the few love stories man like to watch as much as women (but only a few will admit this ;-).

The story follows the highly successful investor aka corporate raider Edward Lewis. He has a crisis when his girlfriend breaks up with him as he asked her to accompany him on a business trip. Irritated he drives alone to the trip but because he is accustomed to a chauffeur he lost his way and ends on the Hollywood Boulevard in the red light district.

He asked the sex worker Vivian for help while she is thinking he is a costumer. Charmed by her free and nice spirit he hires her to play his girlfriend for the business trip. Here I stop to avoid spoilers.

Like I said it is a beautiful love story that feels sometimes like a modern fairy tale. It is so charming that it won me over immediately and I am not someone who likes love stories that much. A lot of the appeal comes from the main actors.

Richard Gere as Edward and Julia Roberts as Vivian are truly excellent and have a near perfect chemistry. The other actors are a fine addition and I praise especially Laura San Giacomo as Vivans room mate / friend, Hector Elizondo as hotel manager and James Bellamy as company owner that Edward wants to profit of.

A really great cast. I must also praise the cast behind the camera with director Garry Marshall, writer Jonathan F. Lawton and all the others. Another strength was the soundtrack and “(Oh) Pretty Woman “ by Roy Orbison is a timeless classic.

“It must have been love”, Show me your Soul” and the other tracks round up the movie. Overall this became a cult classic and box office hit with making over 400 million while only costing around 14 million dollar.

I truly enjoyed the movie and recommend it.