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Parents' Guide to

Pretty Woman

By Ellie Woodward, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Cinderella meets the Sunset Strip.

Movie R 1990 125 minutes
Pretty Woman Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 8 parent reviews

katviv
katviv Adult
February 9, 2021
age 15+

There are positive messages!

I believe that the ages depend on the maturity of the teen. This is a classic!! My kids (15 and 16) absolutely loved it. I think it is misleading that it says there are no great messages, there are! The whole movie is about Vivian discovering her self-worth, she discovers that she is worth more than what she thought she was. It also represents Edward being a gentleman and it shows trust in the relationship. Edward did not judge Vivian for what her occupation was because he knew that she had more to offer as a human being.
Hannah_Louise
Hannah_Louise Adult
April 7, 2020
age 11+

A good rom-com that you can watch with your child age 11+

I absolutely love a rom-com films and I think this is the exact definition of one! There are some sex scenes in the film, although in my opinion I think they are quite mild. The film also involves prostitution, although I actually think that the film is quite moving as it shows the struggles of some people's lives.
See all 8 parent reviews

What's the Story?

PRETTY WOMAN follows the love story of hooker with a heart of gold, Vivian (Julia Roberts), and a stoic, detached, wealthy business mogul, Edward (Richard Gere), who treats all facets of life like a business merger. Vivian is a charismatic, "innocent" prostitute looking to make ends meet. Driving along the Hollywood strip one night, Edward stops and asks Vivian for directions. She drives him back to his hotel and stays the night. Bemused by her company, Edward hires her for the week at a rate of $3,000. Predictably, their relationship develops into more than that of employer/employee.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (8 ):
Kids say (16 ):

One of the top-grossing romantic comedies of all time, the affable Pretty Woman launched Roberts' career and popularized the modern romantic comedy. Despite its formulaic plot, the movie succeeds, due in part to J.F. Lawton's clever script and the performances of Roberts, Laura San Giacomo, and Hector Elizondo as the hotel concierge.

Provided that your teen is mature enough to recognize the implausibility of such a story, Pretty Woman is relatively harmless and surely will outshine the myriad of lackluster and unsubstantial romantic comedies teens normally submit themselves to. However, it's important to remind your child that the reality of prostitution is much harsher than its portrayal in the film.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the harsh realities and dangers of prostitution, as compared to the film's portrayal of it in the film.

  • Parents could discuss how the film treats the objectification of women.

  • Does being a prostitute make Vivian a lesser person?

  • Vivian's physical makeover brings up the issue of appearance and its relation to self-esteem. How does her transformation alter the way she perceives herself and is perceived by other people?

  • Another good point of discussion is the movie's commentary on greed, morals and materialism in today's society. Does money buy Edward happiness?

Movie Details

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