JoAnne Artman Goes to the Movies: PRETTY WOMAN
The cult movie that propelled Julia Roberts to iconic status in the 1990s, Pretty Woman is a love story like no other. Offering a modern retelling of Cinderella with a touch of Pygmalion, Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) is a wealthy, recently divorced, tycoon from New York who is in Los Angeles to close a deal. Lost driving to his hotel, he stops to ask Vivian (Julia Roberts), a prostitute, for directions. For $20, she directs him to his Beverly Hills hotel where he then invites her up to his penthouse suite and offers her a business proposition: he'll pay her $3,000 if she will stay with him for a week and be his companion at a variety of social functions. Over the course of the movie, the pair finds they have more in common than they thought, and fall in love. Re-watching the film this past week, we were inspired to match up some of JoAnne Artman Gallery’s inventory with some of our favorite aspects of the famous rom-com.
- Greg Miller’s portrait reminds us of Julia Robert’s red, curly locks in the movie!
- A stylish and streamlined interior like Michael Callas’ Case Study 21 would perfectly accommodate Vivian and Edward at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
- ·After Edward hired Vivian, she underwent an incredible style and confidence transformation, including a shopping spree on Rodeo Drive. Despite a rough start with rude sales associates, Vivian acquired an enviable new wardrobe. The gorgeous clothes, the memorable hats, and the insane jewelry are reminiscent of Jane Maxwell’s strutting figures.
- Anna Kincaide’s “Free Spirit” encapsulates Vivian’s free spirit through the title and atmospheric brushmarks. The polka dots are also reminiscent of the dress Vivian wears to the polo match.
- At the end of the film, Edward’s insensitive lawyer, Phil Stuckey, blames Vivian for Edward cancelling his business takeover and then assaults her. Edward comes in just in time, throws a very strong punch, and throws Stuckey out in a satisfying beat down that looks close to America Martin’s Boxers in the Ring.
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JoAnne Artman Gallery 326 + 346 N Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 | 511A West 22nd St. New York, NY 10011 Telephone: 949-510-5481 | E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.joanneartmangallery.com