“Shocking and Thrilled” Richard Gere Still Excited by This Iconic ’90s Film 35 Years Later!

Next year will mark the 35th anniversary of “Pretty Woman,” the romantic comedy that not only cemented the careers of Richard Gere and Julia Roberts but also became a cultural touchstone. The film was more than just a box office hit when it premiered in 1990; it became a phenomenon that remains as relevant and endearing today as it was then.

The chemistry between suave businessman Edward Lewis and the vibrant escort Vivian Ward was extraordinary, captivating audiences with the romance between two characters who could not have been more different. Since then, the legacy of the film has endured, bolstered by quotable lines, an iconic soundtrack, and one of the best shopping montages ever filmed!

A Tale for the Ages

Ultimately, the film’s success has spanned generations, reaching audiences who were far too young to grasp its subtleties when they first saw it—a fact that Richard Gere himself finds both amusing and slightly alarming. Speaking with Tania Hussain from Collider while promoting his upcoming series “The Agency” for Paramount+, the journalist told the actor she had first seen “Pretty Woman” at the age of five or six and had quickly told her kindergarten teacher she loved the film. His reaction? “You were too young! It was a story about a prostitute!” he exclaimed with a laugh. As crazy as it sounds, this underscores how a story that could have been much more lurid in other hands, turned into a family film.

When asked about the enduring appeal of the film and what comes next, Richard Gere admitted that none of the cast or crew had anticipated that “Pretty Woman” would become the cultural phenomenon it is today.

“I think none of us knew that it would become part of the zeitgeist of the universe when we were making it. I mean, we came to work hard and do our best, and we had a great time.”

Garry Marshall: The Heart and Soul of Pretty Woman

Beyond the legendary duo, Richard Gere credits much of the film’s charm and longevity to its late director, Garry Marshall, who passed away in 2016: “Garry was the director and really wrote most of the movie himself. Garry has passed… and it was a great loss because he was a wonderful filmmaker, but he was a wonderful man.”

The actor described how the “heart, charm, and generosity of spirit” of the filmmaker could be felt in every second of the movie. “Julia and I were kind of in Garry’s jet stream when we made the film. We had a great time, and I think Julia and I, as well as everyone else, are surprised and thrilled that it has become part of almost everyone’s collective consciousness at this point.”

“Pretty Woman” is currently streaming on Disney+.