Customer Reviews
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
 Brush Aside the Premise and this Film Works, May 16, 2023
One cannot watch PRETTY WOMAN without having a little fun at its expense. Some have described this film as a modern day "Cinderella" story. I describe it as another remake of MY FAIR LADY. What is the difference? Well, in PRETTY WOMAN our protagonist is a hooker. Hence, the problem. But I would like to cast my vote somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. On the one hand, we can certainly understand the film's detractors. While it is not fair to say that prostitution is glamorized in this film, it is conveniently hidden behind the razzle-dazzle of Julia Roberts's new life. Naturally, in the real world this sort of thing would never happen. Additionally, I too was somewhat appalled at the way money is used to improve the self-confidence of Roberts's character.
But PRETTY WOMAN is not entirely molded by these awkward premises and values. For one, money is not completely glorified in this film, as Richard Gere seems to be having a crisis amid his endless pursuit of it. Something is missing from his life and his unethical business practices are no longer fulfilling. What he needs is a change: what he needs is, apparently, a hooker. Seriously, however, PRETTY WOMAN only succeeds if you forget about the fact that Roberts is a streetwalker. Remember, she is a smart girl and does not seem to fit into the hooker lifestyle. Thus, we are supposed to treat her as a character who doesn't know what she is doing and ends up on the street as an accident of fate and low-confidence. So should we be pissed off that a rich businessman saves her like a knight in shining armor? I don't think so. For let us not forget that both of our characters need saving, a point that the film makes quite clear, even in awkward dialogue.
In the end, I believe that the acting in this film is very good (particularly amongst the supporting cast), but that the awkward storyline and premise prevent the film from becoming a truly successful love story. Watch it for its entertainment value and humor: there is plenty. Just don't watch it expecting a great tale of fated lovers.
0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
 $3000 For A Streetwalker??? You Gotta Be Kidding!!!, May 7, 2023
This would have to be one of the most overrated and overhyped movie ever made and what is even worse is that it sends the wrong message to vulnerable , naive young girls, namely that prostitution is a perfectly acceptable way to earn a living. Watching this movie calls for an immense "Suspension Of Disbelief" on the part of the moviegoer which I could not quite accomplish. Somehow we are supposed to believe that a rich businessman (played by Gere) would actually pick up a prostitute from the street and pay her to stay with him for one week!!!Most street walking prostitutes are Heroin Addicts with Hepatitis B and some even have AIDS!!!Why on earth Gere would rather not pay $1000 per hour (which he could easily afford) for a High Class Prostitute is beyond me. Richard then falls in love with Julia and Julia falls in love with Richard but keeps his money anyway.As an aside I have noticed that ALL prostitutes shown in movies always seem to be attractive. Perhaps this is every Hollywood Geek Scriptwriter's Fantasy who has to pay if he wants sex. I give this movie 5 stars because once again Hollywood has successfully managed to portray Fantasy as a Reality.
1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
 Family Fun For All!, May 5, 2023
What's better entertainment than the fairy tale romance of a high price prostitute with the world's biggest mouth, who meets a hampster-loving rich guy who pays her to NOT have sex with him, falls in love with her, and then offers her the world. Its like the story of Cinderella - if Cinderella were a whore, of course, and Prince Charming liked gerbils more than Cinderella.
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Lovely fairy tale (contains spoilers), Apr 24, 2023
I couldn't believe some of the negative reviews to this movie. It's a fairy tale; the rules of the real world don't apply. But moreover, I've never agreed with some of the things said. I wanted to respond to some of the claims of those reviews: largely, the statements that this movie glorifies prostitution, and that it teaches you that money is self-respect.
Maybe the movie was supposed to be a cynical echo of those thoughts, but it certainly didn't turn out that way. Glorifies prostitution? Roberts' character, Vivien, is attacked by Edward's slick lawyer when he finds out what her job is. She tells Edward that it isn't something anyone dreams of doing, but she couldn't make rent, and the first time she did it she "cried the whole time." Vivien's friend, Kit, couldn't pick up the money Vivien left for her at first, because she had to hide from Carlos. Need symbolism? As a hooker, Vivien wore a short, platinum blonde wig: when she took off the wig, she pointed to her hair and said "Red." Edward said "Better."
As to the money - the fact that that Edward told salespersons to suck up to Vivien while she waved his credit card at them - well. As Edward says in the movie, he and Vivien are very alike: they "both screw people for money." Money is how they work and how they think; it's how they relate to people. More importantly, however, is that you WATCH THAT CHANGE through the movie. Vivien turns down Edward's offer of an apartment to keep her off the streets - she told him "it's just geography." Why? Because she "wants more" now. She's going to San Francisco, planning on finishing high school. As for Edward? He turned down a BILLION DOLLAR DEAL so that he could build boats. Boats, people.
The movie is a fairy tale for adults. It isn't trying to say this happy ending is common - it's just one amazing story of an amazing place. Kind of like a new "far, far away." It's like the random guy who talks at the end of the film: "Welcome to Hollywood! ...Some dreams come true. Some don't...but keep on dreaming."
I love this movie. It's Cinderella, people. It's about as probable as fairy godmothers and magic pumpkins, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun.
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Anti-Woman and Anti-Watchable, Apr 24, 2023
Plausible story of a rich homosexual man who falls in love with a dirty prostitute. Makes sense. Happens all the time.
I may not be able to sit through the romantic shy-girl-gets-the-guy movies because they sicken me, but I'll take "Dirty Dancing" and "Ice Princess" and many others in the braindead chick-flick vein to avoid having to watch this.
If I were a Dad, I would ban this movie from my children's viewing, be they boys or girls. Because this movie sends out every possible wrong message....
Prostitution is a way to get by. Like waitressing to put yourself through school. Hey, maybe it's even glamorous. These girls seem to be having fun, right?
Why NO scenes of Julia smoking crack, being gang raped, or getting razored by her pimp for not bringing in enough dash? Too real, I guess. Takes away from the fairy tale, like that bummer "Leaving Las Vegas" reality check flick.
Oh, and money equals love. Big Richie doesn't do much more than buy her stuff and get her into froo-froo stores for snobs to prove his devotion. How can women sit through a movie like this? I am a straight man and even I'm offended!
The only good thing about the movie is Roy Orbison's song, which was ruined for me once it became associated with this atrocity.
Julia Roberts should be ashamed of herself, for making generations of girls think that sex for cash can and will transform into love, riches and a Cinderella-like fantasy world of magic.
Everyone involved in making this should be slain!!!!!
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Based on 191 reviews.