This film falls under the romantic comedy genre, and many of the themes and iconography associated with romantic comedy, which I studied in more detail in 'An Introduction To Film Genre', feature very highly within 'Pretty Woman'. 'Pretty Woman' features the basic plot structure associated with many romantic comedies; the couple meet, fall in love, separate and then reunite. This is a common plot structure which can found in many romantic comedies, such as 'Notting Hill', another 90's film also starring Julia Roberts. Many romantic comedies are based on previous books or fairytales. 'Pretty Woman' is a modern day remake of 'Cinderella'. Julia Roberts plays the poor unfortunate Cinderella and Gere plays the rich Prince Charming who comes to rescue her. There are many references to fairytales throughout and also references to Cinderella.
The film features two very different characters, both in the paths that their lives have taken, as well as their outlook on life and how they operate. Gere plays Edward, a highly successful and uptight business man, who likes to plan and be in control of everything and in some ways is out of touch with the real world and the 'street life' of America. This is in contrast to Robert's character, Vivian, 'a fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl', street wise prostitute. She is very confident and bold, in both her character and styling. As well as having contrasting personalities, differing backgrounds and social classes is also a major element within the romantic comedy genre. This was called the screwball era of film making, as written about in 'Looking At Movies An Introduction To Film' by Richard Bradshaw. Edward went all the way with school and came from a high achieving background, whereas Vivian dropped out in the 11th grade. Edward was born into wealth whereas Vivian had to become a prostitute to make money. Although they differ in many ways they also share some aspects, for example they both, 'don't joke about money', and are also ambitious, with Vivian saying that she 'wants to get out of here' and make a better life for herself.
Music and witty dialogue is also associated with romantic comedy, with much of the script between Gere and Roberts being very playful and flirtatious. The music chosen also helps to develop the story; many songs featuring wild women feature highly, especially when Vivian is getting ready for a night on the streets and when she is walking down the road. This shows off her wild life and that she does things that many women only dream about. The script does well to highlight Vivian's bold and bright personality, with clever scripts and well carried lines. The witty dialogue begins when they first meet, with Vivian charging Edward for every bit of advice she gives him, for example for telling him how to get to his hotel in Beverly Hills, and even charging him if he made any negative comment.
The film features two very different characters, both in the paths that their lives have taken, as well as their outlook on life and how they operate. Gere plays Edward, a highly successful and uptight business man, who likes to plan and be in control of everything and in some ways is out of touch with the real world and the 'street life' of America. This is in contrast to Robert's character, Vivian, 'a fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl', street wise prostitute. She is very confident and bold, in both her character and styling. As well as having contrasting personalities, differing backgrounds and social classes is also a major element within the romantic comedy genre. This was called the screwball era of film making, as written about in 'Looking At Movies An Introduction To Film' by Richard Bradshaw. Edward went all the way with school and came from a high achieving background, whereas Vivian dropped out in the 11th grade. Edward was born into wealth whereas Vivian had to become a prostitute to make money. Although they differ in many ways they also share some aspects, for example they both, 'don't joke about money', and are also ambitious, with Vivian saying that she 'wants to get out of here' and make a better life for herself.
Music and witty dialogue is also associated with romantic comedy, with much of the script between Gere and Roberts being very playful and flirtatious. The music chosen also helps to develop the story; many songs featuring wild women feature highly, especially when Vivian is getting ready for a night on the streets and when she is walking down the road. This shows off her wild life and that she does things that many women only dream about. The script does well to highlight Vivian's bold and bright personality, with clever scripts and well carried lines. The witty dialogue begins when they first meet, with Vivian charging Edward for every bit of advice she gives him, for example for telling him how to get to his hotel in Beverly Hills, and even charging him if he made any negative comment.
-Can you give me directions?
-Sure, For five bucks.
-Ridiculous.
-Price Just went up to ten.
-You can't charge me for directions.
-I can do anything I want to.
-I ain't lost.
-Alright. Ok.
-Alright. You win. I lose.
-Got change for a 20?
-For 20, I'll show you personal.
-Show you where the stars live.
This is one of my favourite exchanges between the two of them, as it shows Vivian's strong and independent character, her sassy attitude as well as her knowledge of the streets, but highlights Edward's vulnerable side to real life.
Visual transformations and shopping on Rodeo Drive are also a major element within romantic comedies. Both of these things are major elements in 'Pretty Woman'; Vivian transforms, after an ultra expensive shopping trip funded by Edward's extreme wealth, from a seductivley dressed women, to a glamorous, sophisticated and stunning lady. This transformation is made very clear in the most famous scene within the film. Vivan returns to a shop, where they would previously not serve her as the assistants said there was nothing appropriate, dressed in beautiful clothing, looking very wealthy and and says,
Visual transformations and shopping on Rodeo Drive are also a major element within romantic comedies. Both of these things are major elements in 'Pretty Woman'; Vivian transforms, after an ultra expensive shopping trip funded by Edward's extreme wealth, from a seductivley dressed women, to a glamorous, sophisticated and stunning lady. This transformation is made very clear in the most famous scene within the film. Vivan returns to a shop, where they would previously not serve her as the assistants said there was nothing appropriate, dressed in beautiful clothing, looking very wealthy and and says,
-Hi. Do you remember me?
-No, I'm sorry.
- I was in here yesterday.
You wouldn't wait on me.
You work on commission, right?
-Yes.
Big mistake.
Big. Huge.
I have to go shopping now.
Thank you.
This is also one of my favourite scenes as again it shows her strong character, but also shows that even though she is dressed more ladylike you cannot change her personality and strength of self justice.
Edward's wealth is also an important part of the film as, in many romantic comedies, one of the couple is usually well off. This is so that it is easier for the film to focus on the love and the wooing of the other half, as there are no real life worries, such as money, getting in the way.
Whilst watching 'Pretty Women' I noticed some motifs within the film. The phrase, 'beck and call' features many times. At the beginning, Gere is on the phone to his ex wife, who tells him that she feels that she is at his 'beck and call', even though he assures her that she is not. He repeats this phrase to Julia Roberts, saying that she will be at his 'beck and call' during their business agreement of her being paid to stay with him for the week. I thought the use of this phrase highlighted the pure business between the two at the beginning of the film rather than that of something on a romantic level.
Feminism is also another feature of this film; many times Vivian, as well as her friend Kit, repeat the phrase, 'we say who, we say when, we say how much'. I thought that this represented the idea of individual strength that Vivian has as well as even though she is selling her body to make money, she is still in control of how it is used and that she would not be taken advantage of. Another motif that I noticed within the film was Edward telling Vivian to stop fidgeting; this only occurred when she was dressed in her expensive clothing. I think that this was meant to represent that she was out of her comfort zone and nervous and that even though she was dressed elegantly and beautifully she was still unable to conform to that way of acting and carrying the clothes in a way that a women of high society might. Vivian calling the hotel room 'home' also occurred frequently. I think that this showed some of her innocence and also that she didn't have a stable place which she could call home and that for her home was wherever she was sleeping.
Vivian
I had to focus on one character from the film to analyse their clothing. I decided that I would focus on Vivian, although this seems like an obvious choice I have always admired her clothing, beauty and the transformation that she undertakes within the film. In the beginning of the film her clothing and styling clearly reflects that of the lifestyle that she is living, as well as indicating her lack of money. We see her colouring in her boots with a black marker to cover up patches where the colour is fading, as well as learning later on that her boots are being held up by safety pins. In the beginning of the film her styling is very bold and messy looking. She wears a very short dress, with a blue skirt and and white top held together by a metal ring, pulled in at the centre of her stomach. It is very revealing due to its length and use of cut outs, reflecting the type of work she is involved in and that her allure and attraction to men is the way that she survives. She is wearing thigh high vinyl boots which, like the short dress, highlights the length and look of her legs. She also carries a bright red coat, which also adds to her bold look, her neck is also laden with many necklaces, big hooped earrings and she wears a cap. At this point in the film her make up is at its heaviest. She has a dark smokey eye and red lip, a look that is commonly associated with prostitutes. She is also wearing a blonde, bob style wig which makes her stand out, also showing that she needs to be bold to make a living. Although her look is very wild, it is however, to me, more toned down than the other women that she works alongside. Her make up is more natural than the others, which I think, is meant to represent that she is new to that way of life and is in some ways more innocent than the women around her, and that she wants more for her life than to stay where she is. To me her skin stands out as it is extremely smooth and flawless. The other women around her look more messy than she does, which to me also reflects her innocence and in some ways purity.
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| http://paula-paulasplace.blogspot.co.uk/2011_11_01_archive.html |
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| http://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/21/entertainment/pretty-woman-movie-anniversary-feat/ |
After meeting Gere's character she enters the hotel with him, this to me is where her outfit becomes its most shocking as it stands out far more, due to the women and setting that she is surrounded by. The hotel is expensive, and the women around her are wearing far more sophisticated and ladylike clothing. The contrast against the other guests at the hotel is most evident when one women tells her husband to close his mouth. In the beginning scenes her red coat acted as a prop for her character and as a way of being more alluring, however as she walks around the hotel in it, it becomes more of a security blanket and a way of protecting her self from the looks of the people around her. She still though manages to stand out due to the brightness of its colour and the fact that everyone around her seems to be wearing very earthy and neutral tones of grey and white.
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| http://www.gaiahealthblog.com/dinner-and-a-movie-pretty-woman/ |
Early on in the film she gets rid of her wig, revealing a mass of red curls. This transformation highlights more of her wild character and allows her to stand out even more from the people around her who are groomed and tidy.
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| http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pretty-woman-reunion-julia-roberts-783912 |
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| https://www.pinterest.com/pin/90986854941873575/ |
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| http://theladyintweed.tumblr.com/post/75183277705/theladyintweed-pretty-woman |
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| http://mandragona.tumblr.com/post/76875740533/vivans-red-dress-in-pretty-woman-watch-the |
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| https://www.pinterest.com/adiamyles/pretty-woman-style/ |
The final outfit of the film sees Vivian wearing jeans and a blazer, this indicates the idea that she has grown up, refined her style and has decided to make a new life for herself up in San Francisco and is going to college. I don't think I have seen a film with such beautiful outfits which add so well and aid to the story line in the way that Vivian's outfits do. The styling helped to transform her from a woman to a lady.
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| https://mychicweek.wordpress.com/2013/06/11/pretty-stylish/ |
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