April 11, 1990 -- ``Pretty Woman'' is a nice, straightforward romantic comedy in the mainstream Hollywood tradition.

Richard Gere and Julia Roberts make a handsome couple in this stock rags-to-riches, heart-of-gold hooker vehicle. Gere and especially Roberts, backed up by a strong supporting cast, do an excellent acting job to make this Pygmalion-like story work.

In the story Roberts, a hooker, is hired by Gere as an escort and, of course, eventually the two fall in love. The script, for the most part, is filled with witty dialogue and interesting characters.

Some of the best scenes in the movie feature Roberts going up against some impertinent Beverly Hills storekeepers and a friendship she develops with a Beverly Hills hotel manager, who teaches her some social graces, such as how to identify a salad fork.

The movie emphasizes the essentially decent nature of most people and how this is brought to the surface in both of the main characters. The story, of course, is not very believable and it is quite predictable.

Despite the drawbacks of the plot, this is a real feel-good movie. On a scale of one to 10 it rates a seven.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Copyright © 2003 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.