Pretty Woman is a 1990 romantic comedy film. The film centers around the title character, down-on-her-luck prostitute Vivian Ward, (Julia Roberts), who is hired by a wealthy businessman and corporate raider, Edward Lewis, (Richard Gere), to be his escort for several business functions, and their developing relationship.
Pretty Woman was initially intended to be a dark drama about prostitution in Los Angeles but was reconceptualized into a romantic comedy. The film was a critical success and became one of 1990s highest grossing films, and today is one of the most financially successful entries in the romantic comedy genre, with an estimated gross of $464 million USD.[1] Roberts received a Golden Globe Award for her role, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress. Screenwriter J. F. Lawton was nominated for a Writers Guild Award and a BAFTA Award. The film was followed by a string of similar romantic comedies, including Runaway Bride, which teamed up Gere and Roberts under the direction of Garry Marshall once again.
Corporate raider Edward Lewis (Gere) is having trouble driving the Lotus Esprit he has borrowed and stops to ask for directions on Hollywood Boulevard. Vivian Ward (Roberts), a hooker with a heart of gold, thinks he is trying to find "a date" and walks over to him. A lost Edward agrees to pay Vivian for directions. Rather than giving him the change she should, Vivian jumps in the car and offers to show him personally. On the way to his penthouse suite in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel (Beverly Hills), Vivian comments on his bad driving. Much to her surprise and delight, Edward asks her to drive the rest of the way. Despite the Lotus's famously stiff clutch, she soldiers on and takes him to his hotel without mishap. Vivian, who thinks she has charmed Edward, is at first rejected and says she will return to her corner by taxi. When Edward sees her at the bus stop instead, he offers to hire her for an hour, which after awkward conversation becomes a night.
Edward explains his business to Vivian--he buys large companies, breaks them up and sells them in smaller parts for profit. Vivian compares it to a chop shop, where stolen cars are cut up for parts and often sold for more than the whole car is worth. Edward acknowledges the validity of the comparison for the first time.
* Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward
* Richard Gere as Edward Lewis
* Ralph Bellamy as James Morse
* Jason Alexander as Philip Stuckey
* 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 Barney Thompson
* Judith Baldwin as Susan
Language: English
Subtitles: NONE