'Pretty Woman'
The Ringer's Bill Simmons, Juliet Litman, and Amanda Dobbins book a room in the penthouse suite to rewatch the 1990 rom-com 'Pretty Woman' starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.
Cast
Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward
Richard Gere as Edward Lewis
Jason Alexander as Philip Stuckey
Laura San Giacomo as Kit De Luca
Hector Elizondo as Barney Thompson
Larry Miller as Mr. Hollister
Directed by: Garry Marshall
Written by: J. F. Lawton
Notes
- Made on a $14 million budget and grossed $463 million worldwide.
- The original script was called '3000' – a dark drama about prostitution where Vivian was a cocaine addict. It was completely reworked into the romantic comedy we know.
- 62% on Rotten Tomatoes. Julia Roberts was nominated for Best Actress (Kathy Bates won for Misery).
- Julia Roberts was 22 during filming – possibly the best breakthrough performance in history, comparable to Stallone in 'Rocky'.
- Richard Gere was allegedly the '38th choice' according to William Goldman, coming off a terrible run from 1983-1989.
- The necklace box snap was improvised by Richard Gere – Julia Roberts' laugh was genuine.
- Launched the modern rom-com era alongside 'When Harry Met Sally' (1989).
- Neither Ferrari nor Porsche wanted their car used in the movie, so they used a Lotus.
- The homeless man who gives Edward directions is director Garry Marshall.
- The real $250,000 necklace had an armed security guard standing behind the director during the entire scene.
Categories
Quote from Rog's review:
“The movie is about two people who are good and warm and who care for each other, and it makes you feel good not because of any phony manufactured sentimentality, but because you share in their feelings.”
Picking up Vivian on Hollywood Boulevard, the cocktail party dress reveal, the shopping montage on Rodeo Drive, and the Opera scene are all nominated. The Opera was a transformative moment – you see her being moved by art for the first time.
Amanda picks the necklace box scene and Julia Roberts' reaction – that's her star-is-born moment. Bill picks Beverly Hills itself – maybe the best Beverly Hills movie ever, setting the tone for what '90s opulence looks like. Also: the soundtrack (King of Wishful Thinking, It Must Have Been Love), the escargot scene, the polo scene, Hector Elizondo, and the movie paving the way for The Bachelor.
Unanimously: Jason Alexander's attempted sexual assault scene. It's tonally inconsistent with the rest of the movie. Richard Gere could have just come in during an argument instead. Also: the no-condom piano sex at 3 AM in the hotel conference room, and the rushed ending where everyone changes their mind too quickly.
- Edward Lewis: Burt Reynolds declined (later admitted it was a mistake on Piers Morgan), Pacino turned it down after a screen test with Roberts, John Travolta auditioned, Albert Brooks turned it down, and Stallone turned it down. Also discussed: Michael Douglas and Robert Redford as alternatives.
- Vivian Ward: Demi Moore turned it down, Uma Thurman and Brooke Shields auditioned, Winona Ryder was too young, Meg Ryan and Karen Allen declined, Molly Ringwald turned it down (has since stated she regrets it), Diane Lane had scheduling conflicts, Michelle Pfeiffer turned it down.
Laura San Giacomo as Kit, Hector Elizondo, and the bug-eyed elevator guy are the nominees. Hector Elizondo is too big for the award. Laura San Giacomo wins – she's in about five scenes, had Sex, Lies, and Videotape around the same time, and could have had a bigger career.
Jason Alexander in the hotel suite during the attempted sexual assault scene. He dials it up to levels that are just heinous – the most disgusting, evil character in a rom-com. Unanimous pick, no other nominees needed.
Hector Elizondo, the hotel manager. He's only in about four scenes but packs a punch. He wins people over – goes from 'why is this hooker in my hotel' to being her charming uncle figure. Also: Ralph Bellamy, who was 87 in this movie (his final film), most famous as one of the old guys in 'Trading Places'.
Neither Ferrari nor Porsche wanted their car in the movie (big mistake). The homeless man giving directions is Garry Marshall. Richard Gere actually plays the piano. The necklace cost $250,000 with an armed guard on set. The bathtub detergent was so strong it rinsed the red dye out of Julia Roberts' hair. The 'please say yes' Post-It Note story about how Gere accepted the role. Julia Roberts reportedly broke out in hives during the sex scene from nervousness.
Richard Gere – yes, this is his Apex Mountain. He had 'Internal Affairs' the same year but then moved into the Michael Douglas role of 'older handsome white guy who gets into predicaments.' Hector Elizondo – yes, absolutely, though Chicago Hope deserves mention. Julia Roberts – they decided her Apex was actually the 'My Best Friend's Wedding' era.
The no-kissing-on-the-mouth rule – she says 'I'll do anything else' but won't kiss? That's a weird boundary. The whole spectrum of arrangements made between the sex worker and the corporate raider is fundamentally ludicrous. Also: the geography is impossible – Edward drives east from Bel-Air to Hollywood Boulevard then back west to Beverly Hills, and the polo match is in Burbank from Beverly Hills (a long limo ride that would be a helicopter trip in real life).
Bill was shocked by how fast he said yes. A 10-episode Netflix show would be grittier, more like the original dark ending of the script. A cross between 'Pretty Woman' and The Girlfriend Experience. The original '3000' ending is more likely to get made today than the fairy-tale version.
What would Vivian have to be wearing in 2019 that could horrify a Beverly Hills store worker? The original outfit wouldn't shock anyone now – you could see it at a Clippers game. Maybe low-rise jeans with thong straps pulled up. How long did they stay together? Bill gives it 20 months (quick marriage, then divorce after George Costanza spreads the hooker story). Amanda thinks forever. Juliet thinks she dies of an overdose within a year.
Julia Roberts – one of the easiest ones they've ever had. She's amazing and you believe every moment of it.