Pretty Woman#Cast

One night while leaving a business party in the Hollywood Hills, corporate raider Edward Lewis takes his lawyer Philip's Lotus Esprit and finds himself in the red-light district on Hollywood Boulevard, where he meets street walker Vivian Ward. Lost and struggling to operate the stick-shift, Edward accepts Vivian's offer to drive him to the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Impulsively, he hires her for the whole night and, despite initial awkwardness, they have sex in his penthouse suite. The following day, Edward asks Vivian to stay for the week, as he must attend a series of business events while attempting to acquire Jim Morse's shipbuilding company. After negotiating, Edward and Vivian agree on $3,000. He also gives her money to buy appropriate clothes.

When Vivian tries to shop on Rodeo Drive, snobbish and rude saleswomen turn her away because of the way she looks. She asks hotel manager Barney for assistance. He gets store saleslady Bridget to find her a cocktail dress for that evening's business dinner. Later, she gets Barney to teach her table etiquette. Edward is astounded by Vivian’s transformation. At dinner, he introduces Vivian to Morse and his grandson David, who is to take over the company. The dinner does not go well as they are unhappy with Edward's plan to dismantle their company. Later, Edward tells Vivian about his personal and business life, including his estranged relationship with his late father.

Edward takes Vivian along as his date to a polo match. When Philip sees Vivian talking to David Morse, he tells Edward his suspicions that she is a corporate spy. Edward dismisses Philip's concerns by explaining their arrangement. With the knowledge of Vivian's true background, the married Philip talks to her alone and crudely propositions her for her services. Back in Edward's suite, Vivian is angry with Edward for exposing her in that way. He apologizes, admitting that he was jealous of Vivian talking to David. Edward takes Vivian by private jet to see La traviata at the San Francisco Opera, a story about a prostitute who falls in love with a wealthy man. She is moved, and she breaks her "no kissing" rule before having sex with him. Believing Edward has fallen asleep, Vivian says she loves him.

As the week is almost finished, Edward offers to get Vivian a condominium and an allowance, promising to visit her regularly. However, Vivian feels he is treating her like a prostitute. She shares her childhood fantasy of being rescued by a knight on a white steed. Edward meets with Morse but chooses to work with him to save his company instead of dismantling it. Philip, furious that Edward's new direction has cost him a fortune, goes to the Beverly Wilshire to confront him. He finds Vivian. Blaming her for Edward's changes and angry at his business decision, Philip hits her and attempts to rape her. Edward arrives, pulls Philip off of Vivian, punches him and fires him. After completing his business in Los Angeles, Edward asks Vivian to stay with him for one more night, but only if she wants to, not because he is paying her. She gently refuses and leaves after telling him she thinks he has "lots of special gifts".

Vivian returns to her apartment hotel to pack for her move to San Francisco to get a new job and a high-school diploma. She gives her roommate, fellow prostitute Kit De Luca, some money and tells her she has "a lot of potential". Kit leaves sex work and enrolls in beauty classes. Vivian then waits in the apartment for the bus. Edward has the chauffeur take him to her apartment. He climbs out of the white limousine's sunroof and ascends the fire escape to "rescue" Vivian, just like the knight in her childhood fantasy. When he asks her what happens after the knight rescues her, she responds "She rescues him right back", and kisses him.

• Richard Gere as Edward Lewis, a wealthy corporate raider from New York who hires Vivian to be his escort for a week
• Julia Roberts as Vivian Ward, a free-spirited Hollywood street walker
• Ralph Bellamy as Jim Morse, owner of Morse Industries, a troubled shipbuilding company Edward plans to take over
• Jason Alexander as Philip Stuckey, Edward's insensitive lawyer
• Héctor Elizondo as Barnard "Barney" Thompson, the dignified and soft-hearted hotel manager
• Laura San Giacomo as Kit De Luca, Vivian's sarcastic wisecracking best friend and roommate who taught her the prostitution trade
• Alex Hyde-White as David Morse, Jim Morse's grandson, who is being groomed to take over the Morses' shipbuilding company
• Amy Yasbeck as Elizabeth Stuckey, Philip's wife
• Elinor Donahue as Bridget, a friend of Barney Thompson who works in a women's clothing store
• John David Carson as Mark Roth, a businessman in Edward's office
• Judith Baldwin as Susan, one of Edward's ex-girlfriends whom he runs into at Phil's party at the beginning of the film. She has recently married and Edward's secretary was a bridesmaid.
• Patrick Richwood as Dennis Rowland
• James Patrick Stuart as Day Bellhop
• Dey Young as a snobbish saleswoman in a clothing store
• Larry Miller as Mr. Hollister, the manager of a clothing store where Vivian buys her new wardrobe
• Hank Azaria as a detective (film debut)
• Larry Hankin as a landlord

=== Development ===

The film was initially conceived as a dark drama about prostitution in Los Angeles in the 1980s.{{cite video |date= 2005 |title= Pretty Woman: 15th anniversary |type= DVD |publisher= Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Touchstone}} The relationship between Vivian and Edward also originally included Vivian being addicted to drugs; part of the deal was that she had to stay off cocaine for a week. Edward eventually throws her out of his car and drives off.{{cite episode|title=Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Timothée Chalamet, Cher |series=The Graham Norton Show |network=BBC |date=1 December 2023 |season=31 |number=9}} The original script by J.{{nbsp}}F.{{nbsp}}Lawton, called 3000,{{cite web |last=Erbland |first=Kate |date=March 23, 2015 |title=The True Story of Pretty Woman's Original Dark Ending |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/03/pretty-woman-original-ending |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128004806/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/03/pretty-woman-original-ending |archive-date=January 28, 2018 |work=Vanity Fair}} ended with Vivian and her prostitute friend on the bus to Disneyland. Producer Laura Ziskin considered these elements detrimental to a sympathetic portrayal of Vivian, and they were removed or assigned to Kit. The deleted scenes have been found, and some were included on the DVD released for the film's 15th anniversary. In one, Vivian tells Edward, "I could just pop ya good and be on my way," indicating her lack of interest in "pillow talk." In another, she is confronted by a drug dealer, Carlos, then rescued by Edward when the limo driver Darryl gets his gun out.

Though inspired by such films as Wall Street and The Last Detail, the film bears a resemblance to Pygmalion myths: particularly George Bernard Shaw's play of the same name, which also formed the basis for the Broadway musical My Fair Lady. It was Walt Disney Studios then-president Jeffrey Katzenberg who insisted the film be re-written as a modern-day fairy tale and love story, as opposed to the original dark drama. It was pitched to Touchstone Pictures and re-written as a romantic comedy.{{cite web |last=Lewis |first=Hilary |date=August 26, 2016 |title=8 Movies With Major Title Changes |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/lists/movies-original-titles-before-change-923339/item/arrival-movie-title-changes-2016-923334 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831131329/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/movies-original-titles-before-change-923339/item/arrival-movie-title-changes-2016-923334 |archive-date=August 31, 2016 |access-date=August 27, 2016 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}} The title 3000 was changed because Disney executives thought it sounded like a title for a science fiction film.{{cite book |author-link= James B. Stewart |last= Stewart |first= James B. |title= DisneyWar |page= [https://archive.org/details/disneywar00stew/page/110 110] |location= New York |publisher= Simon & Schuster |year= 2005 |isbn= 978-0-7432-6709-0 }}

=== Casting ===

The casting of the film was a rather lengthy process. Marshall had initially considered Christopher Reeve, Daniel Day-Lewis, Kevin Kline, and Denzel Washington for the role of Edward, and Albert Brooks,{{Cite web |date=June 30, 2011 |title=The Lost Roles of Albert Brooks |url=https://www.vulture.com/2011/06/the-lost-roles-of-albert-brooks.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704080548/https://www.vulture.com/amp/2011/06/the-lost-roles-of-albert-brooks.html |archive-date=July 4, 2021 |access-date=June 15, 2021 |website=Vulture}} Sylvester Stallone, Christopher Lambert, Al Pacino and Burt Reynolds turned it down.{{cite web |title=Burt Reynolds Reflects on the Roles He's Turned Down |last=Schaffstall |first=Katherine |date=March 16, 2018 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/burt-reynolds-reflects-roles-hes-turned-down-1095043/ |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=April 13, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://collider.com/galleries/pretty-woman-behind-the-scenes-facts/|title=Surprising Behind-the-Scenes Facts about Pretty Woman|first=Tom|last=Reimann|date=April 25, 2019|website=Collider|access-date=January 2, 2023|archive-date=January 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102063114/https://collider.com/galleries/pretty-woman-behind-the-scenes-facts/|url-status=live}} Pacino went as far as doing a casting reading with Roberts before rejecting the part.{{cite interview |first= Al |last= Pacino |subject-link= Al Pacino |date= June 15, 2007 |url= http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0706/15/lkl.01.html |title= "Al Pacino Interview" |interviewer= Larry King |work= Larry King Live |publisher= CNN |access-date= June 16, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070621070302/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0706/15/lkl.01.html |archive-date= June 21, 2007 |url-status= live }} Sam Neill, Tom Conti and Charles Grodin tested for the part along with Roberts.{{Cite web |last=LoBianco |first=Lorraine |date=December 1, 2010 |title=Pretty Woman |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/19475/pretty-woman#articles-reviews?articleId=359271 |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=Turner Classic Movies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615111534/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/19475/Pretty-Woman/articles.html |archive-date=June 15, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2015-03-23 |title="Pretty Woman" turns 25: Go behind the scenes with 21-year-old Julia Roberts |website=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pretty-woman-turns-25-go-behind-the-scenes-with-21-year-old-julia-roberts/ |access-date=2023-08-04 |language=en-US}} Gere initially refused but when he met with Roberts, she persuaded him and he eventually agreed to play Lewis.{{cite web |date=March 24, 2015 |title='Pretty Woman' Cast Reunites 25 Years Later |website=TODAY.com |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ub6BdLFWyg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116022214/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ub6BdLFWyg |archive-date=November 16, 2017 |access-date=September 10, 2017 |via=YouTube}} He reportedly started off much more active in his role; but Garry Marshall took him aside and said "No, no, no, Richard. In this movie, one of you moves and one of you does not. Guess which one you are?"{{cite book|last=Tiffin|first=George|title=A Star is Born: The Moment an Actress becomes an Icon|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OZeQCgAAQBAJ|year=2015|publisher=Head of Zeus|isbn=978-1-78185-936-0|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=OZeQCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT493 493]}}

Roberts was not the first choice for the role of Vivian, and was not wanted by Disney. Many other actresses were considered. Marshall originally envisioned Karen Allen for the role; when she declined, auditions went to many better-known actresses of the time including Molly Ringwald,{{cite news |last= Corcoran |first= Monica |url= https://latimes.com/features/lifestyle/la-ig-molly29-2008jun29,0,7763315.story |title= Molly Ringwald: Pretty in Pucci |work= Los Angeles Times |access-date= January 8, 2013 |date= June 28, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090308044451/http://www.latimes.com/features/lifestyle/la-ig-molly29-2008jun29,0,7763315.story |archive-date= March 8, 2009 |url-status= live}} who turned it down as she felt "there was something icky" about the story.{{Cite web |last=Ringwald |first=Molly |date=April 26, 2012 |title=I am Molly Ringwald. AMA |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/ssoxc/comment/c4gnk8j/?context=3 |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=Reddit |quote=I think I saw an early draft and it was called "$3,000." I don't specifically remember turning it down. The script was okay but I gotta say, Julia Roberts is what makes that movie. It was her part. Every actor hopes for a part that lets them shine like that.}}{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/apr/24/i-was-projected-as-the-sweet-american-girl-next-door-it-wasnt-me-molly-ringwald-bites-back | title='I was projected as the sweet American girl next door. It wasn't me': Molly Ringwald bites back | newspaper=The Guardian | date=April 24, 2023 | last1=Williams | first1=Zoe }} Winona Ryder auditioned, but was turned down because Marshall thought she was "too young". Jennifer Connelly was also dismissed for the same reason. Emily Lloyd turned it down as it conflicted with her shooting for the film Mermaids.{{cite web|url=https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/emily-lloyd-the-unluckiest-actress-in-hollywood-113758144.html|title=Emily Lloyd: The Unluckiest Actress In Hollywood History?|work=Yahoo! Movies|last=Arnold|first=Ben|date=July 27, 2016|access-date=December 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519134831/https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/emily-lloyd-the-unluckiest-actress-in-hollywood-113758144.html|archive-date=May 19, 2017|url-status=live}} Drew Barrymore, Patricia Arquette, Brooke Shields, Uma Thurman, and Kristin Davis also auditioned for the role of Vivian.{{Cite web |last=Burton |first=Lynsi |date=March 18, 2015 |title='Pretty Woman': 25 years later |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/entertainment/movies/slideshow/Pretty-Woman-25-years-later-105532/photo-7670983.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905211621/https://www.seattlepi.com/entertainment/movies/slideshow/Pretty-Woman-25-years-later-105532/photo-7670983.php |archive-date=September 5, 2021 |access-date=September 5, 2021 |website=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/features/patricia-arquette-julia-roberts-escape-at-dannemora-the-act-homecoming-1203231800/ | title=Julia Roberts and Patricia Arquette on Thriving in Hollywood as 'Rad 51-Year-Old' Women | date=June 4, 2019 |website=Variety}} Meg Ryan, who was the studio and Marshall's top choice, also turned it down.{{cite web | url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1133589/it-d-be-a-big-mistake-to-not-check-out-these-30-pretty-woman-secrets-huge | title=It'd be a Big Mistake to Not Check Out These 30 Pretty Woman Secrets⁠—Huge! |website=E! Online |date=August 31, 2022}} According to a note written by Marshall, Mary Steenburgen was also among the first choices. Diane Lane came very close to being cast (the script was much darker at the time); they had gone as far as costume fittings, but due to scheduling conflicts she could not accept. Michelle Pfeiffer turned the role down, saying she did not like the script's "tone."{{cite web |date=2007-02-27 |title=Darly Hannah Pleased to Decline Pretty Woman |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/hannah%20pleased%20to%20decline%20pretty%20woman%20offer_1023365 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013202701/http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/hannah%20pleased%20to%20decline%20pretty%20woman%20offer_1023365 |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |access-date=August 20, 2007 |website=WENN |via=Contact Music}} Daryl Hannah was considered but believed the role was "degrading to women". Valeria Golino was not selected because of her thick Italian accent,{{Cite web |last=Jang |first=Meena |date=2016-05-16 |title=1989: When Valeria Golino Was Indie Royalty in Cannes |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/1989-valeria-golino-was-indie-894394/ |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |quote=My accent was charming, but when it came to be between Julia Roberts and me, she was American.}} and Jennifer Jason Leigh had auditioned.{{cite journal |date= December 4, 2005 |first= Boris |last= Kachka |title= Lone Star: Jennifer Jason Leigh Plays an Extroverted Striver in Abigail's Party, Now, that's a stretch |url= http://nymag.com/nymetro/arts/theater/15247/ |page= 2 |journal= New York Magazine |access-date= September 29, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121016061522/http://nymag.com/nymetro/arts/theater/15247/ |archive-date= October 16, 2012 |url-status= live}} Lea Thompson unsuccessfully auditioned for the role as she thought the film was a drama.{{Cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WKOof2WPJ7o |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/WKOof2WPJ7o| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title = Lea Thompson's Disastrous "Pretty Woman" Audition - "Late Night with Conan O'Brien"|website=YouTube |date=May 10, 2021 }}{{cbignore}}

After all the other actresses turned down the role, 21-year-old Roberts, a relative unknown with only the sleeper hit Mystic Pizza (1988) and the yet-to-be-released Steel Magnolias (1989), for which she would be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, won the role of Vivian. J.{{nbsp}}F.{{nbsp}}Lawton, writer of the original screenplay, has suggested that the film was ultimately given a happy ending because of the chemistry of Gere and Roberts.

Veteran actor Ralph Bellamy, who plays James Morse, appears in his final acting performance before his death in 1991. Jason Alexander, who had also recently been cast for his role as the bumbling George Costanza in Seinfeld, was cast as Philip Stuckey.

=== Filming ===

The film's budget was substantial, at {{US$|14|long=no}} million, so producers could shoot in many locations. Most filming took place in Los Angeles, California, specifically in Beverly Hills, and inside soundstages at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. The escargot scene at the restaurant was shot at Rex II Ristorante, now named Cicada.{{cite web |title=Pretty Woman |url=https://movie-locations.com/movies/p/Pretty-Woman.php |website=movie-locations.com |access-date=2 November 2024}} Interior scenes set in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel lobby were shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Filming commenced on July 24, 1989,{{Cite web |title=Pretty Woman (1990) |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/55709 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016171602/https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/55709 |archive-date=October 16, 2019 |access-date=October 16, 2019 |website=AFI Catalog of Feature Films}} but was immediately plagued by problems. These included Ferrari and Porsche declining the product placement opportunity for the car Edward drove, as neither firm wished to be associated with prostitutes. Lotus Cars saw the placement value and supplied a Silver {{fraction|1989|1|2}} Esprit SE (which was later sold).{{cite web |title=Lotus Espirit SE Pretty Woman Movie Car |url=http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EOtherstuff/PrettyWomanAuction.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314075138/http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EOtherstuff/PrettyWomanAuction.html |archive-date=March 14, 2018 |access-date=22 March 2018 |website=Lotus Esprit World}}

Filming was a generally pleasant, easygoing experience, as the budget was broad and the shooting schedule was not tight. While shooting the scene where Vivian is lying down on the floor of Edward's penthouse, watching reruns of I Love Lucy, Garry Marshall had to tickle Roberts' feet (out of camera range) to get her to laugh.{{cite web |date=24 March 2015 |last=Peng |first=Chelsea |title=16 Things You Never Knew About 'Pretty Woman' |url=https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/news/a13735/pretty-woman-trivia/ |website=Marie Claire |access-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803230639/https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/news/a13735/pretty-woman-trivia/ |url-status=live}} The scene in which Gere playfully snaps the lid of a jewelry case on her fingers was improvised, and her surprised laugh was unscripted.{{cite news |title=See Julia Roberts, Richard Gere re-create iconic 'Pretty Woman' scenes |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/julia-roberts-richard-gere-re-create-iconic-pretty-woman-scenes-t11006 |access-date=26 March 2025 |work=TODAY.com |date=25 March 2015 |language=en}} The red dress Vivian wears to the opera has been listed among the most unforgettable dresses of all time.{{cite web |last1=Henderson |first1=Jessica |title=The 20 Greatest Movie Dresses of All Time |url=https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/g1398/greatest-movie-dresses-ever/?slide=11 |website=Marie Claire |date=28 February 2012 |access-date=September 3, 2020 |archive-date=April 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414200246/http://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/g1398/greatest-movie-dresses-ever/?slide=11 |url-status=live}}

During the scene in which Roberts sang a Prince song in the bathtub, slid down, and submerged her head under the bubbles; she emerged to find the crew had left except for the cameraman, who captured the moment on film. In the love scene, she was so stressed that a vein became noticeable on her forehead and had to be massaged by Marshall and Gere. She also developed a case of hives, and calamine lotion was used to soothe her skin until filming resumed.

Shelley Michelle acted as body double for Roberts in risqué scenes and the film's publicity poster.{{cite news |title=Emilia Clarke suffered in vain: here are 13 famous nude scenes that were actually performed by body doubles |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/hollywood-movie-nude-scenes-performed-body-doubles/julia-roberts-pretty-woman/ |access-date=30 March 2021 |work=The Telegraph |date=11 April 2017 |archive-date=April 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407205701/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/hollywood-movie-nude-scenes-performed-body-doubles/julia-roberts-pretty-woman/ |url-status=live }} Filming wrapped on October 18, 1989.

=== Box office ===

In its opening weekend, the film was at number one at the US box office, grossing {{US$|11280591 |long=no}} and averaging {{US$|8513|long=no}} per theater.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-26-ca-277-story.html|title=SHORT TAKES : 'Pretty Woman' Finishes First Weekend With a Happy Ending|website=Los Angeles Times |date=March 26, 1990 }}{{cite news|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekend&id=prettywoman.htm|title=Pretty Woman (1990)—Weekend Box Office|work=Box Office Mojo|access-date=September 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930221910/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=weekend&id=prettywoman.htm|archive-date=September 30, 2009|url-status=live}} Despite dropping to number two in its second weekend, it grossed more with {{US$|12471670|long=no}}. It returned to number one at the US box office in its sixth weekend and was number one for three weeks. It was in the Top 10 movies in the US for 16 weeks. In Australia, it was number one for 12 weeks and was number one for nine consecutive weeks in the UK. {{as of|2009|9|29|alt=As of September 29, 2009}}, it has grossed {{US$|178406268|long=no}} in the United States and {{US$|285000000|long=no}} in other countries for a total worldwide gross of {{US$|463406268}}.{{cite news |url= https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=prettywoman.htm |title= Pretty Woman (1990) |work= Box Office Mojo |access-date= September 29, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120501100849/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=prettywoman.htm |archive-date= May 1, 2012 |url-status= live}} It was the fourth highest-grossing film of the year in the United States and Canada{{cite news |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=1990&p=.htm |title=1990 Yearly Box Office Results |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=September 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206182952/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=1990&p=.htm |archive-date=December 6, 2006 |url-status=live}} and the third highest-grossing worldwide.{{cite news |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=1990&p=.htm |title=1990 Yearly Box Office Results |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=September 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426000919/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=1990&p=.htm |archive-date=April 26, 2009 |url-status=live}} The film was Disney's highest-grossing film ever, surpassing Three Men and a Baby. It was also Disney's highest-grossing R-rated release until Deadpool & Wolverine surpassed it in 2024.{{cite magazine|magazine=Variety|date=January 10, 1994|page=24|first=Don|last=Groves|title=Japan ends year with 'Cliffhanger'}}{{cite magazine|magazine=Variety|date=September 3, 1990|page=4|title='Pretty Woman' now top Disney grosser}}{{cite web |title=Top Lifetime Grosses by MPA Rating |website=Box Office Mojo |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/domestic/mpaa.htm?page=R&p=.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820163450/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/domestic/mpaa.htm?page=R&p=.htm |archive-date=August 20, 2016 |access-date=July 4, 2016}} It is the fourth-highest grossing romantic comedy film to date.{{cite web |date=July 21, 2022 |title="The 15 highest-grossing rom-coms of all time |url=https://ew.com/gallery/highest-grossing-rom-coms/#242491 |access-date=2 November 2024 |website=EW.com}}

Pretty Woman received mixed reviews from critics, with positive reviews praising the stars' chemistry and the dialogue.{{Cite news |last=Semigran |first=Aly |date=March 23, 2015 |title=The 25 Most Iconic Things About 'Pretty Woman' |url=https://www.vh1.com/news/48dqma/pretty-woman-25th-anniversary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625162759/https://www.vh1.com/news/48dqma/pretty-woman-25th-anniversary |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |access-date=June 25, 2024 |work=VH1 |quote=When it arrived in theaters back in 1990, the film opened to mixed reviews}}{{Cite news |last=Burke |first=Dana |date=December 17, 2019 |title=Movies turning 30 in 2020 |url=https://www.chron.com/culture/main/slideshow/Movies-turning-20-in-2020-198712.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625162923/https://www.chron.com/culture/main/slideshow/Movies-turning-20-in-2020-198712.php |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |access-date=June 25, 2024 |work=Houston Chronicle |quote=Pretty Woman received mixed reviews from critics}}{{Cite news |last=Flockhart |first=Gary |date=February 15, 2023 |title=Pretty Woman: The Musical to visit Edinburgh Playhouse on UK tour - how to get tickets |url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/pretty-woman-the-musical-to-visit-edinburgh-playhouse-on-uk-tour-how-to-get-tickets-4027437 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625163328/https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/pretty-woman-the-musical-to-visit-edinburgh-playhouse-on-uk-tour-how-to-get-tickets-4027437 |archive-date=June 25, 2024 |access-date=June 25, 2024 |work=Edinburgh Evening News |quote=The film received mixed reviews on its release}}{{Cite news |last=Bukszpan |first=Daniel |date=September 10, 2010 |title=The 15 Most Profitable Movies of All Time |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2010/09/10/The-15-Most-Profitable-Movies-of-All-Time.html |access-date=August 9, 2024 |work=CNBC |quote=The movie was not exactly well received by critics}}{{Cite web |title=Pretty Woman |date=9 February 2010 |url=https://www.timeout.com/movies/pretty-woman |access-date=November 2, 2024 |website=Time Out Magazine}} On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes the film holds an approval rating of 65% based on 77 reviews, with an average rating of 6.0/10. The website's critical consensus states, "Pretty Woman may be a yuppie fantasy, but the film's slick comedy, soundtrack, and casting can overcome misgivings."{{cite web |url= https://rottentomatoes.com/m/pretty_woman/ |title= Pretty Woman |work= Rotten Tomatoes |access-date= November 20, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130102221755/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pretty_woman/ |archive-date= January 2, 2013 |url-status= live}} On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 51 out of 100, based on 18 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews."{{cite web |url= http://www.metacritic.com/movie/pretty-woman |title= Pretty Woman Reviews |work= Metacritic |access-date= September 29, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110416085642/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/pretty-woman |archive-date= April 16, 2011 |url-status= live}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemascore.com|title=Find CinemaScore|format=Type "Pretty Woman" in the search box|publisher=CinemaScore|access-date=March 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102130540/https://www.cinemascore.com/|archive-date=January 2, 2018|url-status=live}}

The film's detractors criticized the overuse of the "hooker with a heart of gold" trope. Others opined that the film sugarcoats the realities of sex work.{{cite news |last1=Kenny |first1=Glenn |title=Julia Robert's career |url=https://ew.com/article/1994/12/02/julia-roberts-career/ |access-date=2 November 2024 |work=EW.com |date=December 2, 1994}} Gary Giddins wrote, "In the insidious Pretty Woman, all women who aren't explicitly identified as tramps are gold-digging wives or snooty shopkeepers. It's the kind of working-class fantasy that wants the men in the audience to identify with a ruthless corporate pirate (Richard Gere) and the woman to identify with a simple but grandhearted streetwalker (Julia Roberts), who, given a chance, could be a lady's lady....The attempted laughs (few succeed) are at her expense."{{Cite book |last=Giddins |first=Gary |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bz-JXShQWlMC |title=Natural Selection: Gary Giddins on Comedy, Film, Music and Books |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2006 |isbn=978-0195179514 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=Bz-JXShQWlMC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA201 201] |access-date=November 2, 2024}}

Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a "D," saying it "starts out as a neo-Pygmalion comedy" and becomes a "plastic screwball soap opera", with the "kinds of characters who exist nowhere but in the minds of callowly manipulative Hollywood screenwriters". Gleiberman conceded that with the film's "tough-hooker heroine, it can work as a feminist version of an upscale princess fantasy." He also said it "pretends to be about how love transcends money," but "is really obsessed with status symbols."{{cite magazine |first=Owen |last=Gleiberman |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/07/26/pretty-woman-2/ |title=Pretty Woman |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=March 23, 1990 |access-date=September 29, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090427093915/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,316998,00.html |archive-date= April 27, 2009 |url-status= live}} On the film's twentieth anniversary, Gleiberman wrote another article addressing his original review, saying that while he felt some of his criticisms were valid, he would have given it a "B" today.{{cite magazine |last=Gleiberman |first=Owen |date=March 24, 2010 |title='Pretty Woman': 20 Years after My Most Infamous Review (Yes, I gave it a D), Here's My Mea Culpa—and Also My Defense |url=https://ew.com/article/2010/03/24/pretty-woman-my-most-infamous-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922161815/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2010/03/24/pretty-woman-my-most-infamous-review/ |archive-date=September 22, 2012 |access-date=July 15, 2011 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave a positive review, praising how the film is about "a particularly romantic kind of love, the sort you hardly see in the movies these days".{{Cite web |last=Ebert |first=Roger |date=March 23, 1990 |title=Pretty Woman |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/pretty-woman-1990 |access-date=November 2, 2024 |website=RogerEbert.com}} He added it "protects its fragile love story in the midst of cynicism and compromise. The performances are critical for that purpose. Gere plays new notes here; his swagger is gone, and he's more tentative, proper, even shy. Roberts does an interesting thing; she gives her character an irrepressibly bouncy sense of humor and then lets her spend the movie trying to repress it. Actresses who can do that and look great can have whatever they want in Hollywood."

The New York Times{{'}} Janet Maslin wrote: "Despite this quintessentially late 80's outlook, and despite a covetousness and underlying misogyny that bring Mr. Marshall's earlier 'Overboard' to mind, 'Pretty Woman' manages to be giddy, lighthearted escapism much of the time. Ms. Roberts, as noted, is a complete knockout, and this performance will make her a major star...Mr. Gere is mildly constrained by the button-down aspects of Edward's character, but he manages to be dapper, amusing, and the perfect foil. Though it has not been that long since he himself was on the other side of the Hollywood gigolo equation, he conveys a dignity and presence well suited to a soon-to-be-radicalized captain of industry."{{Cite news |last=Maslin |first=Janet |date=March 23, 2020 |title=Review/Film; High-Rolling Boy Meets Streetwalking Girl |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/23/movies/review-film-high-rolling-boy-meets-streetwalking-girl.html |access-date=November 2, 2024 |work=The New York Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219003019/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/23/movies/review-film-high-rolling-boy-meets-streetwalking-girl.html |archive-date=December 19, 2023 |url-status=live}}

Carina Chocano of The New York Times said the movie "wasn't a love story, it was a money story. Its logic depended on a disconnect between character and narrative, between image and meaning, between money and value, and that made it not cluelessly traditional but thoroughly postmodern."{{cite news |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/24/magazine/mag-24Riff-t.html?pagewanted=all |title= Thelma, Louise and All the Pretty Women |first= Carina |last= Chocano |work= The New York Times |date= April 11, 2011 |access-date= February 28, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170401002608/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/24/magazine/mag-24Riff-t.html?pagewanted=all |archive-date= April 1, 2017 |url-status= live}} In a 2019 interview, Roberts expressed uncertainty over whether the film could be made today due to its controversial premise, commenting, "So many things you could poke a hole in, but I don't think it takes away from people being able to enjoy it".{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/mar/15/highly-relatable-julia-roberts-and-lucas-hedges-on-their-family-affair | title='I wish I had her cheeks': Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges on their family affair | newspaper=The Guardian | date=March 15, 2019 | last1=Nicholson | first1=Amy }}{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Anne |date=March 23, 2020 |title=30 Years Later, "Pretty Woman" Is So Much More Than A Guilty Pleasure |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/07/203053/pretty-woman-modern-review-julia-roberts-richard-gere |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=Refinery29 |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Tobias |first=Scott |date=23 March 2020 |title=Pretty Woman at 30: conservatism, materialism and glowing star power |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/mar/23/pretty-woman-30-conservatism-materialism-glowing-star-power |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323150231/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/mar/23/pretty-woman-30-conservatism-materialism-glowing-star-power |archive-date=2020-03-23 |access-date=November 2, 2024 |work=The Guardian}}

=== Accolades ===

American Film Institute lists:

• AFI's 100 Years... 100 Passions – #21{{cite web |title=AFI's 100 Years…100 Passions |url=https://www.afi.com/afis-100-years-100-passions/ |website=American Film Institute |access-date=13 April 2023}}

{{Main|Pretty Woman (soundtrack){{!}}Pretty Woman (soundtrack)}}

The soundtrack features the songs (among others):

• "Oh, Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison, which inspired its title
• Roxette's "It Must Have Been Love," originally released in December 1987, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1990
• "King of Wishful Thinking" by Go West
• "Show Me Your Soul" by Red Hot Chili Peppers
• "No Explanation" by Peter Cetera
• "Wild Women Do" by Natalie Cole
• "Fallen" by Lauren Wood

The soundtrack has been certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).{{Cite web |date=May 1, 1991 |title=American album certifications – Soundtrack – Pretty Woman |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Soundtrack&ti=Pretty+Woman&format=Album&type=#search_section |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408035507/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Soundtrack&ti=Pretty+Woman&format=Album&type=#search_section |archive-date=April 8, 2022 |access-date=April 8, 2022 |website=Recording Industry Association of America}}

The opera featured in the film is La Traviata, which also served as inspiration for its plot. The highly dramatic aria fragment that is repeated is the end of "Dammi tu forza!" ("Give me strength!"), from the opera. Roberts sings the song "Kiss" by Prince while she is in the tub and Gere's character is on the phone. Background music is composed by James Newton Howard. The piano piece Gere's character plays in the hotel lobby was composed and performed by Gere. Entitled "He Sleeps/Love Theme," this piano composition is inspired by Bruce Springsteen's "Racing in the Street."{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

{{Main|Pretty Woman (musical){{!}}Pretty Woman (musical)}}

A stage musical adaptation of the film opened on Broadway on July 20, 2018, in previews, officially on August 16 at the Nederlander Theatre.{{Cite news |last=Clement |first=Olivia |date=2017-11-21 |title=Pretty Woman Musical Finds Its Broadway Home, Sets Summer 2018 Opening |work=Playbill |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/pretty-woman-musical-finds-its-broadway-home-sets-summer-2018-opening# |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124074450/http://www.playbill.com/article/pretty-woman-musical-finds-its-broadway-home-sets-summer-2018-opening |archive-date=2017-11-24}} This follows an out-of-town tryout at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago, which ran from March 13 to April 15, 2018. The musical has music and lyrics by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance; the late Garry Marshall and J.{{nbsp}}F.{{nbsp}}Lawton wrote the book; and Jerry Mitchell is the director and choreographer.{{Cite news |last=McPhee |first=Ryan |date=October 6, 2017 |title=Jason Danieley Joins Broadway-Bound Pretty Woman Musical |work=Playbill |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/jason-danieley-joins-broadway-bound-pretty-woman-musical |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007220556/http://www.playbill.com/article/jason-danieley-joins-broadway-bound-pretty-woman-musical |archive-date=October 7, 2017}} The Chicago and Broadway cast featured Samantha Barks, in her Broadway debut as Vivian and Steve Kazee as Edward. Barks finished her run as Vivian on July 21, 2019, and was replaced by Jillian Mueller the following evening, with Brennin Hunt, of Rent fame, assuming the role of Edward. Orfeh portrayed Kit, and Jason Danieley played Philip Stuckey. Eric Anderson portrayed the role of Mr. Thompson and Kingsley Leggs played the role of James Morse.

The UK and Ireland stage musical tour commenced in the fall of 2023. The show opened in Bristol with cast members, Amber Davies as Vivian, Oliver Savile as Edward. Ore Oduba played Mr Thompson. The run is scheduled to continue through most of 2024.{{Cite web |title=Touring the UK and Ireland from Autumn 2023! |url=https://uk.prettywomanthemusical.com/tour/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Pretty Woman The Musical |language=en-GB}}

{{Reflist}}

{{wikiquote}}

• {{IMDb title|0100405|Pretty Woman}}
• {{TCMDb title|id=19475}}
• {{AFI film|55709}}
• {{DisneyAtoZ|title=Pretty Woman}}
• {{Mojo title|prettywoman|Pretty Woman}}

{{Garry Marshall}}

{{J. F. Lawton}}

{{Roy Orbison}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1990s American films

Category:1990s English-language films

Category:1990 films

Category:1990 romantic comedy films

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Category:Album chart usages for Switzerland

Category:Album chart usages for Billboard200

Category:Album chart usages for UKSoundtrack

Category:American romantic comedy films

Category:American sex comedy films

Category:Films about the upper class

Category:Films about businesspeople

Category:Films about interclass romance

Category:Films about prostitution in the United States

Category:Films adapted into plays

Category:Films directed by Garry Marshall

Category:Films with screenplays by J. F. Lawton

Category:Films featuring a Best Musical or Comedy Actress Golden Globe winning performance

Category:Films produced by Arnon Milchan

Category:Films scored by James Newton Howard

Category:Films set in Beverly Hills, California

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Category:Midlife crisis films

Category:Touchstone Pictures films

Category:English-language sex comedy films

Category:English-language romantic comedy films

Category:Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award–winning films