Dive into the fascinating journey of 'Pretty Woman' as it evolves from a serious drama into a beloved romantic comedy. Discover how Julia Roberts became a star and the surprising casting choices that shaped the film. The hosts dissect character arcs, revealing the themes of love, wealth, and personal growth. They explore the film's darker original scripts, iconic scenes, and the intricate dynamics of relationships, all while humorously critiquing Hollywood norms. It's a delightful blend of nostalgia and insightful analysis!
01:10:12
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Pretty Woman was initially a serious drama about a sex worker that transformed into a romantic comedy after Disney's acquisition.
Richard Gere's eventual acceptance of the lead role was largely influenced by his chemistry with co-star Julia Roberts during a pivotal lunch meeting.
The film’s improvisational elements allowed for authentic performances, with memorable moments arising from spontaneous creativity encouraged by director Gary Marshall.
Deep dives
The Origins of Pretty Woman
The screenplay of Pretty Woman originated from the experiences of J.F. Lawton, who drew inspiration from his interactions with sex workers in Hollywood. Initially titled 3000, the story was a serious drama about a prostitute hired by a wealthy businessman, intended to present a more grounded and realistic narrative. However, after being accepted into the Sundance Institute, the screenplay underwent significant changes when Disney acquired it. The transformation aimed at creating a romantic comedy rather than a dark narrative led to the casting of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, resulting in the movie heading in a more uplifting direction.
Casting Challenges and Breakthroughs
Casting the leads for Pretty Woman was fraught with challenges, including multiple rejections from actors and directors who were initially offered the roles. Richard Gere turned down the lead multiple times, feeling that the character wasn't compelling enough. It wasn't until Gary Marshall brought Julia Roberts into the equation that Gere agreed to take part in the production after they had a lunch meeting. Their chemistry became evident, making them a perfect match for the fairy tale narrative that Disney wanted to create.
The Role of Improvisation
Improvisation played a crucial role in bringing the characters and humor of Pretty Woman to life. Many of the film's most memorable moments, such as the iconic 'Big mistake, big' line, arose from spontaneous acting on set. Gary Marshall encouraged this creativity, allowing actors to explore their characters beyond the script and to inject real emotion into their performances. The flexibility in script and performance resulted in authentic, relatable interactions that significantly enhanced the film's charm.
Examining Gender Dynamics
Pretty Woman presents a complex interplay of gender dynamics, where power shifts between the characters are central to the narrative. Richard Gere’s character, a wealthy corporate raider, and Julia Roberts’ character, a sex worker, both embody contrasting societal roles while navigating their relationship. The film highlights contemporary themes of empowerment and mutual respect, as Roberts provokes Gere to look beyond his corporate ambitions and consider the human costs of his work. Their relationship develops through shared experiences, and both characters exhibit growth, challenging traditional perceptions of romance.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Pretty Woman not only became a major box office success but also solidified Julia Roberts as a quintessential movie star of the 1990s. The film's legacy is evident in its continued reference in popular culture and the romantic comedy genre framework. However, it has faced criticism for its portrayal of sex work and gender roles, leading to ongoing discussions about the expectations set for women in similar narratives. Despite the critiques, the film remains a beloved classic and serves as a benchmark for many romantic comedies that follow, demonstrating how a compelling blend of humor, romance, and character development can resonate with audiences.
This week Amy and Paul break down the 1990 iconic romantic comedy, Pretty Woman. They talk about how it was originally penned as a serious drama, that Richard Gere wasn’t initially interested in the role, and how it made Julia Roberts a star.
You can join the Unspooled conversation on Paul’s Discord at https://discord.gg/ZwtygZGTa6
Follow Paul and Amy on Letterboxd for more of their movie hot takes! https://letterboxd.com/paulscheer/ https://letterboxd.com/theamynicholson/
Paul’s book Joyful Recollections of Trauma is out now! Find it at https://www.harpercollins.com/products/joyful-recollections-of-trauma-paul-scheer
Check out more of Paul's writing on his Substack https://substack.com/@paulscheer
Episodic Art by Kim Troxall: https://www.unspooledart.com/
Learn more about the show at Unspooledpod.com, follow us on Twitter @unspooled and on Instagram @unspooledpod, and don’t forget to rate, review & subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts.
Sign up for Regal Unlimited at https://www.regmovies.com/unlimited using code UNSPOOLED to earn a free popcorn, PEPSI, and M&M’s Ice Cream Sandwich
