Pretty Woman

Pretty Woman

1990

Director: Garry Marshall

Writer: J. F. Lawton

119 Minutes.

When screenwriter J.F. Lawton wanted to write a story about prostitution, he envisioned a dark, gritty tale about the underworld of selling sex.

What he got was Julia Roberts.

Pretty Woman is a story about a rich man seeking affection from a Hollywood prostitute where then he falls in love and they live happily ever after. At least, that’s what we are meant to believe - especially after both parties break the rules and kiss each other on the mouth.

Wrong move, sister.

Though this film is about selling your body, it also is about selling your heart. It’s an emotional, enjoyable film about stepping outside the box to find who you really are.

“In case I forget to tell you later, I had a really good time tonight.”

In the scene above, Vivian (Julia Roberts) is being “courted” by Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) and after having strawberries and champagne, Vivian goes to the bathroom to clear her head. When Edward follows, Vivian tries to hide something behind her back.

Thinking it’s drugs, Edward begins to remove her from the apartment, telling her to take the money, and leave. But, Vivian reveals it’s not drugs, but simply dental floss.

“It’s dental floss?”
“I had all those strawberry seeds. And you shouldn’t neglect your gums.”

This piece of innocents and purity enlightens Edward (and the audience) to the real character of Vivian. She’s not a whore, she’s a woman in whore’s clothing. She’s a real person with simple intentions.

And she's lovable.

This scene gets you on board with Vivian. Had she done drugs, done the deed, and left the apartment, not only would we have not liked her, but Edward wouldn’t have invited her to stay the week. (Not to mention, the movie would have been over.) This good hygiene act is the catalyst to Edward’s invitation.

"Rarely I'm surprised," Edward says.

It's because Vivian is a good person. And in Edward’s life, she brings balance. She opens his eyes to what he really wants. And in the end, Edward changes not only his emotional journey, but his professional journey by not buying and selling, but more building.

He’s building at his company and he is building in his relationships.

But, it all comes down to dental floss.

A funny side fact is the Opera Vivian and Edward attend is La Traviata, which is a story about a prostitute who falls in love with a wealthy man.

Great writing, great directing, and a great props help us understand this dark, gritty tale about the underworld of prostitution.

And then there was Julia Roberts.