Metascore
51 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Negative: 6 out of 17
  1. 88
    The sweetest and most openhearted love fable since "The Princess Bride."
  2. The intelligence and wit of this glass-slipper heart-of-gold fantasy are shocking.
  3. Reviewed by: Joe Berry
    80
    A modern-day treatment of Pygmalion and Cinderella rolled into one, it is graced by first-class performances from two easy-on-the-eye stars and a sharp, funny script.
  4. 80
    Roberts and Richard Gere costar in this bubbly scamper, which goes to the head like champagne -- the cheap, sweet kind that leaves you with a throbbing head. And yet this monstrously derivative romance is great giddy fun.
  5. Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    70
    Roberts handles the transition from coarse and gawky to glamorous with aplomb.
  6. But it's Roberts's memorably comic performance that is the most distinguishing aspect of the movie. As the gawky professional companion, she's ticklishly appealing.
  7. No one is expected to believe Pretty Woman . We're just supposed to enjoy it... Pretty Woman wants only to engage us for two hours, and it does. [16 Apr 1990, p.26]
  8. Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    63
    For the first time in years (even counting his excellent work in “Internal Affairs”), Richard Gere's acting gears aren't too obviously apparent; Julia Roberts, though the breadth of her emotional range remains in question, is beautiful and can act - a not-bad blueprint for continued employment. [23 Mar 1990, Life, p.4D]
  9. The message is plain: Men, especially rich men, have all the power. So be sure to do what they tell you, and maybe they'll treat you nicely… It's not one I like to hear. [27 Apr 1990, Arts, p.10]
  10. Reviewed by: Staff (Non Credited)
    50
    The silly script lurches from one jarring, implausible moment to another, and Marshall directs like he was wearing earplugs and boxing gloves on the set.
  11. Nothing works, except perhaps the sight of Julia Roberts' lean, well-tempered midsection and her roughly eight yards of legs that, in this frail comedy, are worked until they're almost a story point of their own. [23 Mar 1990, Calendar, p.F-14]
  12. Proves that the Disney people can sell just about anything--including a misogynistic celebration of big business and prostitution.
  13. 25
    It sounds like standard Cinderella stuff (and the script comes complete with plenty of allusions to princesses in towers), but it's played here with an emphasis on possessions and possessing that borders on the obscene… It's a pretty ugly movie. [23 Mar 1990, Friday, p.C]
  14. It's one of those self-consciously cute pictures, about as hard to take as a person who stands in front of a mirror and preens all day. [23 Mar 1990, Daily Datebook, p.E1]
  15. Starts out as a neo-Pygmalion comedy, but the film is slow, earnest, and rhythmless.
  16. Reviewed by: Richard Corliss
    20
    A ticket to Pretty Woman buys you mechanical titillation and predictable twists... Old-fashioned, assembly-line moviemaking without the old panache. [2 Apr 1990, p.70]
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. A romantic comedy that actually makes good use of both of its genre components, "Pretty Woman" is a hilarious piece of film with a sharp script, solid performances, and a hefty plateful of sentimentality. Full Review »
  2. 8
    It was surprisingly a quite charming movie. Julia Roberts was funny, witty, and intelligent in this role. This is most certainly not the type of film I would enjoy but the overall light romantic feel about the movie made it pleasurable to watch. Full Review »
  3. Max
    10
    This movie is great to watch with your girlfriend. It is romantic and looks great.