Pretty Woman: Behind the Scenes of a Classic Romance
Pretty Woman is one of those films I can watch over and over again. It never gets boring, no matter how many times I see it. But it’s surprising that, after all these viewings, I never noticed the bloopers and mistakes that reveal a different story about the film.
Disney Changes Everything
Pretty Woman became a romantic comedy that captured the hearts of millions and turned Richard Gere and Julia Roberts into superstars. But that wasn’t how it was originally intended. The first draft of the screenplay was called 3,000, written by J.F. Lawton, who was struggling to find his big break. This early version dealt with darker themes, like social inequality and corporate greed.
When Disney took over the project, everything changed. The company wanted to downplay the serious themes of class and sex work in Los Angeles. Instead, Disney gave it a huge budget and transformed it into a light-hearted romantic comedy.
Al Pacino’s Missed Opportunity
It’s hard to picture anyone else but Richard Gere as Edward Lewis, the wealthy businessman who hires Vivian, played by Julia Roberts, to be his escort for a week. The casting process for Pretty Woman was lengthy, and at one point, the legendary Al Pacino was considered for the role of Lewis. He even did a casting reading with Julia Roberts! However, Pacino ultimately decided to turn the role down.
Even though he liked the script, he never revealed why he passed on it. Looking back, he praised Roberts, who was still an unknown actress at the time. “You could tell at the reading, this is going to be good; this is going to be a hit picture. You just knew it,” Pacino said. He continued, “And this girl was phenomenal.
I said to Gary, ‘Where did you get this girl?’” (Gary being the film’s director, Gary Marshall). Pacino’s instincts were spot on; Roberts’s performance would define her career and the film’s legacy.
The Croissant Becomes a Pancake
In one scene where Richard Gere’s character orders breakfast in the hotel room, there’s a funny detail that you might have missed. Vivian starts off enjoying a croissant while chatting with Edward. But suddenly, the croissant turns into a pancake!
How did that happen? According to director Garry Marshall, he preferred Roberts’ performance in the later takes, where she was eating a pancake. So, they decided to keep that footage, which created a continuity issue. In one shot, Vivian takes a big bite of the pancake, but in the next shot, it looks completely different, with only one bite missing and a different bite pattern. It’s clearly not the same pancake!
The Iconic Red Dress
The careful thought behind the costume design might go unnoticed by many viewers. But it’s impossible to ignore the stunning red dress that Julia Roberts’ character wears in the movie. This dress symbolizes Vivian’s transformation and empowerment, especially during a significant scene where she goes to the opera with Edward.
Vogue described the dress as “eye-catching, incredibly sexy without losing an ounce of elegance.” The genius behind this iconic dress was award-winning costume designer Marilyn Vance. She designed six fabulous outfits for Vivian, along with Richard Gere’s dapper looks.
For instance, the charming brown-and-white polka dot dress that Roberts wore at the horse race was crafted from old silk found in a tiny antique fabric shop in Los Angeles — how’s that for recycling in style? And those stylish shoes? They were by Chanel!
Richard Gere’s Unremarkable Tie
As for Gere’s wardrobe, it was a lesson in color coordination with brown, navy, and blue-gray suits, all designed by Vance. Now, about that famous tie that Roberts grabs from a store employee? Vance said it was “nothing special” — definitely not designer. She picked it up at a shop in Los Angeles for just $48.
This tie pops up multiple times throughout the film, and if you watch closely, you’ll notice it mysteriously changes knots now and then. During the polo match, Edward wears the tie with a half-Windsor knot. But later, he sports a spread-collar shirt, and the tie is now tied in a full-Windsor knot. How does that even happen?
The ‘Obscene’ Shopping Spree
When Richard Gere introduces Julia Roberts’ character to the luxurious world of the wealthy, he takes her on an extravagant shopping spree down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. That shopping trip would have cost Gere’s character at least $30,000! It was like they were shopping with Monopoly money — no wonder Vivian looked overwhelmed.
The Real Ruby-and-Diamond Necklace
The jewelry that Julia Roberts wore with her stunning red ball gown was a heart-shaped necklace made of real rubies and diamonds, valued at a staggering $250,000. Yes, you read that right! An armed security guard from the jewelry store kept watch while they filmed this scene.
The Jewelry Box Scene: A Practical Joke
The moment where Richard Gere presents Julia Roberts with the expensive necklace is one of the most romantic and iconic in movie history, but it has a funny backstory. Originally, it was meant to be a playful prank for the film’s gag reel. If you remember, the jewelry box snaps shut on Julia’s fingers, prompting one of the most genuine laughs ever caught on film.
Director Garry Marshall shared why he and Gere decided to play this joke on the young actress. “She would sometimes show up a bit sleepy after a late night out,” he recalled. “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 decided to keep that moment in the final cut, and it became a trademark of the movie. Just like that, an unscripted joke turned into cinematic magic!
Edward’s Disappearing Shoes
As I mentioned, there are some mistakes in Pretty Woman that aren’t easy to spot at first, but some sharp-eyed viewers have caught them. For example, when they leave the opera and head to the park, Vivian takes off Edward’s shoes. But as he lies down, the shoes magically reappear! How does that even happen?
Money in the Boot
Speaking of strange things, there’s a little mystery involving Vivian’s boots that you might not have noticed. When Edward hands her $100 in the penthouse, she slips the cash into her boot for safekeeping. But later, after room service arrives with champagne and she takes off her boots, the money has mysteriously vanished!
Did it disappear into thin air, or is Vivian just really good at hiding things? Maybe her boots had a secret compartment, or perhaps the $100 just didn’t want to stick around for the rest of the movie!
The Colorful Condoms
In another scene, when Vivian offers Edward a selection of colorful condoms, it seems they have a mind of their own. She starts with four neatly arranged options, but in the next shot, the order is completely different. It’s like the condoms were having their own little dance party behind the scenes!
Richard Gere’s Feelings About His Character
Richard Gere has definitely gained from the success of Pretty Woman — both in his career and bank account. But he hasn’t always been totally positive about the film, especially when it comes to his character, Edward. At a film festival in Venice, Gere described Edward as “criminally underwritten.” He added, “Basically, he’s just a suit and a good haircut.”
One particular scene seemed to frustrate Gere: Edward playing the piano while Vivian edges closer. Reflecting on it, he sarcastically remarked, “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.”
Director Garry Marshall came up with the scene after asking Gere what he usually does late at night in a hotel. Gere explained, “I said, ‘Well, I’m usually jet lagged, [that] would be the time I’m in a hotel.
So I’m up all night and usually there’s a ballroom somewhere or a bar, and I’ll find a piano and I’ll play.’” Marshall suggested, “Well, let’s do something with that.” So, the scene was mostly improvised. “He said, ‘Play something moody.’ I just started playing something moody that was this character’s interior life.”
More Than Just Onscreen Lovers
The chemistry between Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in Pretty Woman is undeniable, but it went beyond the cameras. In 2017, Gere revealed that he still talks to Roberts “all the time.” Back in the day, they would chat “three or four times a day.” It was a friendly bond, almost like love at first sight.
“Yeah, we loved each other immediately. So it was a nice thing,” Gere admitted. Even director Garry Marshall noticed their connection right away. He remembered a moment during their first meeting when he stepped out to use the restroom, leaving the actors alone to get acquainted.
“I came out and saw the two of them at the end of a hall, just looking at each other,” Marshall said. “And right there, I thought, look at that chemistry. They don’t know each other, and yet they’re doing great.”
Julia Roberts Convinces Richard Gere
While Al Pacino came close to landing the role, it seems Julia Roberts was determined to have Richard Gere as her partner on screen. She practically begged him to take the role! “He’s a very serious actor, and he had very specific thoughts about the movie and the part and what worked and didn’t work for him,” she said in a 2017 SiriusXM interview. “I think I just nodded
my head a lot and said, ‘Yes!’”
In the end, Gere’s reservations didn’t stop him from accepting the role, and the rest is history.
Conclusion
Pretty Woman remains a beloved classic with a fascinating behind-the-scenes story that highlights the creative journey, surprising casting decisions, and delightful moments that happened off-screen. Even with the unexpected bloopers and mistakes, it’s clear that this film captured something truly magical, making it a timeless favorite that never fails to bring a smile to our faces.
So, next time you watch Pretty Woman, keep an eye out for these fun tidbits! You never know what little details you might discover. Share your thoughts in the comments!
