SOME OF THE REASONS WE STILL LOVE ‘PRETTY WOMAN,’ 35 YEARS LATER
If you love the movies that helped to launch one of cinema’s American Sweetheart Julia Roberts, then going by that, March is a big month for her films. Her Oscar winning role in Erin Brockovich celebrates 25 years in 2025, and today we look at another of her best-loved roles. On March 23, it’s a day for Pretty Woman 35 years later. The film that really launched her career, the dramedy is a movie that is still well liked today.
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SOME OF THE REASONS WE STILL LOVE ‘PRETTY WOMAN,’ 35 YEARS LATER. Looking back on #PrettyWoman, 35 years later. #JuliaRoberts #90sMovies Share on XThe film is a kind of classic opposites attract story that borrows from the Pygmalion (or My Fair Lady as we better know it) story. It’s about a story about Vivian, a hooker working the streets, and Edward, a wealthy businessman. Like the plots for this film often read, Edward has it all with exception to any meaningful relationship. As a result, he hires Vivian to accompany him to some of his important social affairs, underestimating the affect her presence in his life will have on him.
The film has high user ratings on places like Prime Video, but it isn’t necessarily well loved in modern culture or social media. Still, the film has a kind of icon status not only because it essentially made its leading lady the sweetheart of American box offices, but also because it has that certain feeling that modern peer films struggle to achieve. Let’s talk about the reasons we do love Pretty Woman.
PRETTY WOMAN, 35 Years Later
THE CHEMISTRY
The chemistry between Julia Roberts and Richard Gere is good. They have a solid connection, and their scenes are well acted. The chemistry also “feels” easy going, which helps to make this one of those more effortless movies that is impossible not to like (at least in the way of not enjoying the way the relationship starts to form).
THE FEMININITY
One thing films like this or films of this era seem to have is heroines who are feminine. It’s more “effortless” than other films, and isn’t obvious in a way that it dresses Vivian in all pink (although her wardrobe is still admirable, pink or not) or has her over made up. But it’s more in just how she plays the role and just something about the simplicity in how she appears. Likely this may also be because the film is kind of inspired by My Fair Lady which has all sorts of feminine type elements.
THE HUMOR
The humor is fun, even taking into consideration that this is Pretty Woman 35 years later. Or at least this is how I remember it. While not prevalent in perhaps the same way as the romance, I appreciate its purpose which is to counter the more serious or intense moments or reactions between Vivian and Edward.
IT’S A LOVE STORY
The movie has fairy tale written all over it, though it’s not the kind that is actually set in some enchanting world. Nor is it really the typical kind of movie we associate with fairytale. (We again echo back to the fact that this one rubs some the wrong way.) Plus, cliche or not, don’t we all love that balcony scene? It manages to be sassy, funny and romance-y all in one fell swoop and speaking for myself, I rather like that combination.
JULIA ROBERTS
This may seem obvious, but Julia Roberts is fabulous in the role. She has a handle on the character, and I think Roberts’ plays her with an awareness or understanding not everyone does. As movie goers, we like to say that no one else could have played the role (when in reality, there are people just as wonderfully talented), but in this case, I think this role is Roberts’, and thinking about her peers of this time, I cannot see anyone playing Vivian any more effectively or being as charming.
Stream, at publication, this film on Max
Do you enjoy, love, or loathe this movie? What do you or don’t you like about it? Do you “get” why it was Roberts’ breakout? Tell us all the things on this Pretty Woman 35 years later movie anniversary!
Photos: Alamy
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Some movies never get old.
Very true. :)