![]() Ike is no exception to this when he seeks her out to redeem his reputation which was marred by his own slanderous claims, he mercilessly teases her in front of her friends and family, who are surprisingly won over by this arrogant act. ![]() Having left three men at the altar, and engaged again, she is constantly ridiculed (albeit in good humor) by the residents of her small town for never following through with a wedding. Gere, as journalist Ike Graham, sets the story in motion by writing an insulting (and highly misogynistic) article about Roberts' character Maggie Carpenter, the infamous runaway bride he has heard about. On the other hand, despite the similar opposites-attract dynamic between Roberts and Gere in Runaway Bride, their relationship is a little less believable. They balance and bring depth to one another, so their connection feels genuine and seems to build fluidly. Throughout the movie, we see her gradually breaking down his walls with her addictive childlike curiosity and enthusiasm. She represents the fun and kindness which he is sorely in need of he represents the American dream she had never thought could be hers. They gradually meet in the middle, with Vivian undertaking a Pygmalion or My Fair Lady type of transformation. Vivian, meanwhile, is adrift in life, and although she is more open to embodying her emotions, she hasn't allowed herself to have confidence in her dreams. His business practice is largely unethical, and he has difficulty being vulnerable and expressing his emotions even outside of work. At the start of the movie, he is married to his work, with ex-partners inferring that they were closer to his secretary than him. Pretty Woman portrays the emotional journey and enchanting relationship which grows between Vivian Ward (Roberts), a sex worker, and Edward Lewis (Gere), a coldly shrewd business owner. Image via Buena Vista Pictures Distribution Pretty Woman employs better pacing, which makes the romance between the two seem to develop more organically, and also has stronger characterizations and writing, leading to a more fulfilling conclusion. However, these similarities are mostly surface-level and do not serve as magic ingredients for Runaway Bride. Furthermore, both films feature Gere saving Roberts from rude shop assistants, and Roberts knowing more than Gere about how cars work, triggering the first flickers of their romance. Some of the same actors even appear in both movies including Hector Elizondo and Larry Miller, who were both in The Princess Diaries as also directed by Garry Marshall, reinforcing the feeling of a Marshall rom-com universe. The plots both follow a similar line of unlikely and unexpected love, with the lead characters learning along the journey Gere's characters become more tender and vulnerable, whilst Roberts' characters develop more self-belief and ambition. In both films, Richard Gere is the cynical, driven professional Julia Roberts is the free spirit who changes his life. ![]() Although Pretty Woman has not always been loved by critics, the rom-com Runaway Bride, which was released almost a decade later in 1999 and also stars Roberts and Gere, was not nearly as beloved by audiences, despite also being directed by the late rom-com great, Garry Marshall. Considered as being paramount among the classic rom-com genre and even spawning a Broadway musical, it has had a huge cultural impact. Despite Roberts' character Vivian's eventual departure from the profession (which is simplistically and perhaps narrow-mindedly presented as being a better life choice for her), the film does not shame her for being a prostitute per se. It must also be noted that for the most part, it features a mostly open-minded and accepting presentation of sex work for its time. Although the premise of a wealthy entrepreneur falling for an escort is famously unrealistic, the chemistry between the leads is unforgettable, with slick comedy keeping the film moving, and fantastic acting. Pretty Woman is the iconic 1990 rom-com starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere as romantic love interests. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |