Pretty Woman: A Closer Look at the Movie Magic and Mistakes
Pretty Woman is a movie that I can watch over and over again—it never feels old or boring. But after all those viewings, it’s surprising that I missed the little mistakes and funny bloopers that tell a different story about the film. Let’s dive into the behind-the-scenes magic!
Disney’s Big Changes
Originally, Pretty Woman was supposed to be called 3,000, and it was written by J.F. Lawton, a struggling screenwriter at the time. His first draft had much darker themes about class differences and corporate greed. But everything changed when Disney stepped in.
They wanted to focus less on the serious topics of class and sex work in Los Angeles and instead turned it into a lighthearted romantic comedy. With a big budget and a new direction, the film became a hit and catapulted Richard Gere and Julia Roberts to stardom.
Al Pacino’s Close Call
Can you imagine anyone other than Richard Gere as Edward Lewis, the wealthy businessman who hires Vivian (Julia Roberts) to be his escort for a week? It’s hard to picture! The casting process took a while, and at one point, Al Pacino was in the running for the role. He even did a casting reading with Julia Roberts. However, he decided to pass on it.
Though he never revealed why, Pacino later expressed his admiration for Roberts, who was relatively unknown at the time. He recalled, “I mean, you could tell at the reading, this is going to be good, this is going to be a hit picture. You just knew it. And this girl was phenomenal.
I mean, I said to Gary, ‘Where did you get this girl?’” (Gary is Gary Marshall, the director). Pacino’s instincts were spot on—Roberts’ performance defined her career and left a lasting mark on the film.
The Croissant That Became a Pancake
There’s a hilarious little moment in the film that you might not have caught. When Richard Gere’s character orders breakfast, Vivian is happily eating a croissant while chatting with Edward. But in the next shot, that croissant has magically turned into a pancake!
Director Garry Marshall preferred Roberts’ performance while she was eating the pancake, so they used that take. But it created a continuity issue: in one shot, Vivian takes a bite, and in the next, there’s a different bite taken out of the pancake. It’s clear—these two pancakes are not the same!
The Iconic Red Dress
One of the most unforgettable moments in Pretty Woman is when Julia Roberts wears that stunning red dress. This outfit symbolizes Vivian’s transformation and empowerment. Vogue called it “eye-catching, incredibly sexy without losing an ounce of elegance.” The genius behind this iconic look was costume designer Marilyn Vance, who created six fabulous outfits for Roberts’ character, including the charming brown-and-white polka dot dress she wore to the horse race.
That dress was made from old silk found in a tiny antique fabric shop in Los Angeles—now that’s recycling in style! And those stylish shoes? They were by Chanel.
Richard Gere’s Tie Mystery
As for Richard Gere’s wardrobe, it was a masterclass in style, featuring suits in brown, navy, and blue-gray, all designed by Vance. But there’s an interesting tidbit about the famous tie that Roberts snatches from a store employee. Vance revealed it was “nothing special” and was bought in a shop for just $48.
Throughout the movie, you’ll notice that the tie changes knots from time to time. In one scene, it’s tied in a half-Windsor knot, but later, it magically becomes a full-Windsor knot. What’s going on there?
The “Obscene” Shopping Spree
When Edward takes Vivian on a shopping spree down Rodeo Drive, it’s a whirlwind of luxury and glamour. This shopping trip would have cost his character around $30,000—can you believe it? It was like they were shopping with Monopoly money, and no wonder Vivian was so dazzled by it all!
The Real Ruby-and-Diamond Necklace
The jewelry that Julia Roberts wears with her red ball gown—a heart-shaped necklace made of rubies and diamonds—was valued at a jaw-dropping $250,000! While filming, an armed security guard was stationed behind the director to keep a watchful eye on that extravagant piece.
A Playful Prank with the Jewelry Box
The scene where Richard Gere presents the necklace to Julia Roberts has become one of the most romantic moments in film history, but it has a funny backstory. Initially, it was meant to be a playful prank for the film’s gag reel. As you might remember, the jewelry box snaps shut on Roberts’ fingers, creating one of the most genuine laughs ever captured on film.
Director Garry Marshall explained, “I said, ‘Richard, you gotta wake her up a little, so when she reaches for the box, slam it.’ It was a soft box. I would never hurt her.” They ended up keeping that moment in the final cut, and it became a trademark of the movie.
Edward’s Disappearing Shoes
There are also some subtle mistakes that aren’t easy to catch. For instance, when they leave the opera and head to the park, Vivian takes off Edward’s shoes. But when he lies down, the shoes magically reappear. It’s one of those classic movie blunders!
Money in the Boot
Another little mystery happens with Vivian’s boots. When Edward hands her $100 in the penthouse, she puts the cash into her boot for safekeeping. However, later, when she takes off her boots after room service arrives with champagne, the money has mysteriously vanished. Did it disappear into thin air, or does Vivian have secret compartments in her boots?
Four Colored Condoms
In a playful scene, Vivian offers Edward a selection of colorful condoms. But as the scene cuts, the order of the condoms changes completely. It’s like they were having their own little dance behind the scenes!
Richard Gere’s Thoughts on His Character
Richard Gere has enjoyed the success that Pretty Woman brought him, but he hasn’t always been thrilled about his character, Edward. At a film festival in Venice, he described Edward as “criminally underwritten.” He added, “Basically, he’s just a suit and a good haircut.” One particular scene, where Edward plays the piano while Vivian edges closer, frustrated Gere.
He jokingly said, “I mean, no chemistry. This actor and this actress obviously had no chemistry between them… I haven’t seen that in a long time. That’s a sexy scene.”
The piano scene came about when Marshall asked Gere what he typically did when he was jet-lagged and alone in a hotel. Gere shared, “Well, I’m usually up all night… and I’ll find a piano and play.” Marshall suggested, “Well, let’s do something with that,” and the scene was largely improvised.
A Special Bond Off-Screen
The chemistry between Julia Roberts and Richard Gere wasn’t just limited to the screen. Gere later revealed that they still talk “all the time,” and back in the day, they would chat “three or four times a day.” He reflected, “Yeah, we loved each other immediately. So it was a nice thing.”
Director Garry Marshall noticed their connection during their first meeting. He stepped out for a moment and saw them at the end of the hall, just looking at each other. “I came out and saw the two of them… I thought, look at that chemistry. They don’t know each other, and yet they’re doing great,” he said.
Julia Roberts Persuades Gere
Even though Al Pacino was close to landing the role, it was clear that Julia Roberts was determined to have Richard Gere as her on-screen partner. She practically begged him to take the role. “He’s a very serious actor and he had very specific thoughts about the movie,” she recalled.
“I think I just nodded and smiled a lot and agreed with everything he said. I said, ‘You have to do this movie, if you don’t do this movie and it falls apart… it’ll just be terrible.’”
Richard Gere remembered the moment fondly, saying, “I still didn’t know if I was doing this movie… She’s across the desk, she takes a piece of paper and writes something on it. She turns it around and pushes it to me… ‘Please say yes.’”
The Magic of Pretty Woman
In a fairytale romance, things don’t always go as planned, and maybe that’s what makes Pretty Woman so endearing. With its mix of magic, humor, and unforgettable moments, it keeps us coming back for more, year after year. Did we miss any of your favorite Pretty Woman bloopers? What do you think? Share your thoughts!
