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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Pretty Woman
Buena Vista Pictures


6.9

based on 17 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 14 votes
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FILM:

MPAA RATING: R for sexuality and some language

Starring Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, Ralph Bellamy, Jason Alexander, Laura San Giacomo, and Hector Elizondo

When successful corporate mogul Edward Lewis (Gere) meets carefree call-girl Vivian Ward (Roberts), their two lives are worlds apart. But Vivan's energetic spirit challenges Edward's no-nonsense approach to life, and soon they are teaching each other -- and falling for each other. (Buena Vista)

GENRE(S):	Romance
WRITTEN BY:	J.F. Lawton
DIRECTED BY:	Garry Marshall
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: January 14, 2003 Video: February 1, 2000 Theatrical: March 23, 1990
RUNNING TIME:	119 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

Julia Roberts was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actress in a Leading Role category at the 1991 Academy Awards for her performance in this film.

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

The New York Times Elvis Mitchell

Something special.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Jay Scott

The intelligence and wit of this glass-slipper heart-of-gold fantasy are shocking.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

The sweetest and most openhearted love fable since "The Princess Bride."

Washington Post Rita Kempley

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.

Empire Joe Berry

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.

Washington Post Desson Thomson

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.

Variety Staff (Not Credited)

Roberts handles the transition from coarse and gawky to glamorous with aplomb.

The New Republic Stanley Kauffmann

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]

USA Today Mike Clark

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]

TV Guide Staff (Non Credited)

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.

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

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]

Los Angeles Times Sheila Benson

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]

Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum

Proves that the Disney people can sell just about anything--including a misogynistic celebration of big business and prostitution.

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

Starts out as a neo-Pygmalion comedy, but the film is slow, earnest, and rhythmless.

San Francisco Chronicle Mick LaSalle

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]

Chicago Tribune Dave Kehr

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]

Time Richard Corliss

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]

The average user rating for this movie is 6.9 (out of 10) based on 14 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Abby L gave it a7:
This was a good movie. Light and romantic.

Monica gave it a9:
Perhaps only hopeless romantics like me can appreciate and give this movie a 10. I'm giving it a 9 though. The story is perfect. Funny, light and romantic. They could've changed the ending though, make it more dramatic.

Ally L. gave it a0:
It's perfect it stars Richard Gere as he is so smug that you can really believe the only person who likes him is someone he buys. I cannot believe anyone thinks this movie is romantic. She's his latest purchase. There should be a sequel where he gets a trade in for her.

Emma W. gave it a10:
I was 3 when this came out and every time I watch it it reminds me of the nineties. Its my all time favourite movie. Fantastic soundtrack. Its not saying rich men are powerful at all, its saying no matter what walk of life you are from doesn't matter when it comes to love and totally does away with class distintion. There is a real chemistry between Gere and Roberts and her acting is elite. No film could ever compare, it really sets the competion. 10 stars.

Andrew M gave it a 6:
I gotta agree with the lads on this one...it's really not my cup of tea as far as genre goes, but it's done so darn well that it's hard to bag it! Charming performances, witty and human script and good music choices make this a winner for the ages. I first saw it as a pimply, hormone-charged teenager - it won me over then, and still does. I can see now that it's not the epitome of filmmaking, but it is smart entertainment.

Pat C. gave it an 8:
I hate really bad movies that work. I hate everything this movie stands for. And I hate that this movie had me rooting for such unrepentent losers. But the concierge had class.

Pretty Woman Buena Vista Pictures

Pretty Woman
Buena Vista Pictures