Day 15 - Pretty Woman (Halfway Point)
First Impressions:
Where to start? "Pretty Woman" has all the trappings of a rom-com, yet seems to be more.
While watching the credits, I noticed the piano piece is credited to Richard Gere as both writer and performer.
Originally, "Pretty Woman" was written as a 'dark cautionary tale' about prostitution. According to Wikipedia, it was re-worked to be a rom-com but some warnings were left in:
1. Kids, pay attention because this is where attending until grade 11 gets you. At the end Vivian realizes she needs to finish high school if she is to do anything significant with her life. Stay in school.
2. Dead prostitute in a dumpster. Still open unsolved.
Nod to "My Fair Lady" type stories where someone from a lower class is mentored by someone from higher social standing.
If a montage scored with a song by the same name as the movie plays mid-way, should it lose credit?
Personal Reflections:
"Don't get emotional when you turn tricks."
I think "Pretty Woman" remains a classic that succeeds as a movie because of its honesty and a grittiness not seen in any other rom-com. I loved Richard Gere in this role - it's interesting that he plays a male escort, Julian in "American Gigolo" (strongly recommend watching it), and is now the male gaze rather than the object of that gaze.
Vivian and Edward don't shy away from the commodification of their relationship. For Edward the arrangement provides comfort; he knows he can remain emotionally distant, the trait that makes him so efficient at his job as a corporate raider. The expectations of the relationship are very clear unlike the messiness seen in "My Sassy Girl" or "500 Days of Summer".
There are layers to the relationship between Edward and Vivian. She has a child-like ebullience that captivates Edward. He is content to watch her sprawled amidst a 'carpet picnic' watching "I Love Lucy". He is like a father or benevolent uncle (as is alluded to) who delights in the reactions of his young companion rather than, say, the opera itself. He provides financial and physical security for Vivian.
They are a sort of odd-couple in their mis-matched socio-economic positions: Vivian is poor, uneducated hedonist where Edward is a rich, educated workaholic. Despite this, they share an appreciation of money and emotional detachment, which binds them. Edward remarks, "We both screw people for money." Vivian's emotional detachment, however, is a product of her job where for Edward it is part of his character.
One would assume that Edward is rescuing Vivian, damsel in distress, princess of the street, but as we learn at the end, she rescues him right back. I felt like Edward was more in need of saving than Vivian. For Vivian, she needed basics from the bottom of Maslow's Hierarchy, which are easier to attain than those closer to the top. Vivian thaws his emotional detachment, encouraging him to feel and enjoy rather than simply getting something that is the best because it is lauded as the best. This changes the way Edward conducts business and makes him a lot happier. Edward buys her new clothes and convinces Vivian of her potential. In this way they rescue each other.
Legitimacy > Wealth. It's the refrain of gangster movies like "The Godfather", "Scarface", "American Gangster". You can show up on Rodeo Drive with a fist full of bills, but without legitimacy, your money is worthless. Entry to another social standing requires more than dolla dolla bills y'all. Once Vivian has the clothes, the manners and the endorsement of Edward Lewis, she gains a very wide berth around the Regent Beverly Hills Wilshire and its environs. The discrimination she faces is like racism in the '60s. Vivian is denied entry to stores and Stucky attempts to rape her because of his narrow view of her. Prostitutes are people too.
The writers did the work to add dimension to the character and create intimacy through little inside jokes like when Edward calls and tells her not to pick up the phone. Richard Gere has great screen presence and Julia Roberts has such a beautiful and genuine laugh. Unsurprisingly, Edward and Vivian are now my favourite rom-com couple. If I were attending the "Never Been Kissed" prom they are the couple I would choose to attend as.
Rom-Com Tropes:
1. Odd couple.
2. Grand gesture gets the girl.
3. With a great laugh and a little personality you can make an emotionally unavailable man feel.
4. Love can be anywhere, even (especially?) Hollywood Blvd.
Soundtrack:
I wanted to hear Material Girl.
The soundtrack is certified triple platinum, so kinda speaks for itself.
Richard Gere composing and performing his piano piece. Obviously, Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison. It Must Have Been Love by Roxette as Edward and Vivian contemplate their separation.
Where to start? "Pretty Woman" has all the trappings of a rom-com, yet seems to be more.
While watching the credits, I noticed the piano piece is credited to Richard Gere as both writer and performer.
Originally, "Pretty Woman" was written as a 'dark cautionary tale' about prostitution. According to Wikipedia, it was re-worked to be a rom-com but some warnings were left in:
1. Kids, pay attention because this is where attending until grade 11 gets you. At the end Vivian realizes she needs to finish high school if she is to do anything significant with her life. Stay in school.
2. Dead prostitute in a dumpster. Still open unsolved.
Nod to "My Fair Lady" type stories where someone from a lower class is mentored by someone from higher social standing.
If a montage scored with a song by the same name as the movie plays mid-way, should it lose credit?
Personal Reflections:
"Don't get emotional when you turn tricks."
I think "Pretty Woman" remains a classic that succeeds as a movie because of its honesty and a grittiness not seen in any other rom-com. I loved Richard Gere in this role - it's interesting that he plays a male escort, Julian in "American Gigolo" (strongly recommend watching it), and is now the male gaze rather than the object of that gaze.
Vivian and Edward don't shy away from the commodification of their relationship. For Edward the arrangement provides comfort; he knows he can remain emotionally distant, the trait that makes him so efficient at his job as a corporate raider. The expectations of the relationship are very clear unlike the messiness seen in "My Sassy Girl" or "500 Days of Summer".
There are layers to the relationship between Edward and Vivian. She has a child-like ebullience that captivates Edward. He is content to watch her sprawled amidst a 'carpet picnic' watching "I Love Lucy". He is like a father or benevolent uncle (as is alluded to) who delights in the reactions of his young companion rather than, say, the opera itself. He provides financial and physical security for Vivian.
They are a sort of odd-couple in their mis-matched socio-economic positions: Vivian is poor, uneducated hedonist where Edward is a rich, educated workaholic. Despite this, they share an appreciation of money and emotional detachment, which binds them. Edward remarks, "We both screw people for money." Vivian's emotional detachment, however, is a product of her job where for Edward it is part of his character.
One would assume that Edward is rescuing Vivian, damsel in distress, princess of the street, but as we learn at the end, she rescues him right back. I felt like Edward was more in need of saving than Vivian. For Vivian, she needed basics from the bottom of Maslow's Hierarchy, which are easier to attain than those closer to the top. Vivian thaws his emotional detachment, encouraging him to feel and enjoy rather than simply getting something that is the best because it is lauded as the best. This changes the way Edward conducts business and makes him a lot happier. Edward buys her new clothes and convinces Vivian of her potential. In this way they rescue each other.
Legitimacy > Wealth. It's the refrain of gangster movies like "The Godfather", "Scarface", "American Gangster". You can show up on Rodeo Drive with a fist full of bills, but without legitimacy, your money is worthless. Entry to another social standing requires more than dolla dolla bills y'all. Once Vivian has the clothes, the manners and the endorsement of Edward Lewis, she gains a very wide berth around the Regent Beverly Hills Wilshire and its environs. The discrimination she faces is like racism in the '60s. Vivian is denied entry to stores and Stucky attempts to rape her because of his narrow view of her. Prostitutes are people too.
The writers did the work to add dimension to the character and create intimacy through little inside jokes like when Edward calls and tells her not to pick up the phone. Richard Gere has great screen presence and Julia Roberts has such a beautiful and genuine laugh. Unsurprisingly, Edward and Vivian are now my favourite rom-com couple. If I were attending the "Never Been Kissed" prom they are the couple I would choose to attend as.
Rom-Com Tropes:
1. Odd couple.
2. Grand gesture gets the girl.
3. With a great laugh and a little personality you can make an emotionally unavailable man feel.
4. Love can be anywhere, even (especially?) Hollywood Blvd.
Soundtrack:
I wanted to hear Material Girl.
The soundtrack is certified triple platinum, so kinda speaks for itself.
Richard Gere composing and performing his piano piece. Obviously, Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison. It Must Have Been Love by Roxette as Edward and Vivian contemplate their separation.
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