Twenty years ago this week, I wrote a review in EW of a new Hollywood romantic comedy. Read the full post.
Mar 24
2010
10:59 AM ET
'Pretty Woman': 20 years after my most infamous review (yes, I gave it a D), here's my mea culpa -- and also my defense
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Pretty woman is one of my ‘go to’ movies. I put it on to laugh, to feel good, to get my fairytale fix. The storyline is simple and effective but the movie doesn’t take itself too seriously. Both lead characters are appealing, and it’s fun to see all of G. Marshall’s usual supporting cast
it’s hilarious how people deny that julia roberts is a moviestar. she may not have had a big 100 million plus grossing movie since erin brockovich (although valentine’s day has certainly gained this much and oceans11 and 12) but this woman has been a moviestar and the most famous actress in the world since her debut in 1989, that is 20 years. if this is not a moviestar then i don’t know what is. you can deny her acting prowess which is questionable under the safe choices she has made but she is a charismatic force and she is certainly still a famous actress.
To answer your question, the reason why people are so vehemently against critical reviews is because movie critics seem to always have an agenda. And it’s not the same agenda as the public. The public want movies that entertain them, but critics want films that have messages or have deeper meanings that they can dissect. And when a critic picks apart a fan favorite, it can come off as insulting or snobbish.
When I read some critics, I get my own vibe about them, like you did with Pauline Kael. Sometimes I’ll read a critic and think, “this guy hates movies and writing reviews is only a job to him.” And I know that’s the case for some reviewers. And even reading your article feels self-congratulatory. Like you’re on a pedestal above the public.
It wouldn’t be so bad if there were critics that were more in tune with the public. But I use the Oscars as an example. Critics basically pick the nominees for the Oscars and the lazy Academy just follows suit. That’s why every year there’s all the articles about how out of touch the Oscars are with the public. And why we have to read one self-congratulatory article after another when a critic’s fave like “The Hurt Locker” upsets all the higher profile nominated films for Best Picture. Matter of fact, your own EW movie critic panned “The Hurt Locker” until pressure from other critics praise made him go back see the film again, in which case he mysteriously loved it.
So I think you can see, when you’re polluting the Oscars, writing smug, pontificating reviews or self-congratulatory articles about your own infamous reviews, the public has a lot of reasons to hate you and to tell you why!!
It’s still one of my favorite movies. That doesn’t mean it’s a great movie, but there’s just something about it. Every girl of my generation can quote it verbatim. There have been so many rom-coms over the years, but this one stuck. Why is that? Is it the fantasy aspect of it? The dream every girl has to find the fairy tale? The shopping and clothes? Viv’s struggle to find her way in the world against all odds? The redemption of Gere’s character? Maybe all of that in combination. Sometimes reviews just don’t mean very much. You can give this one a D all over again, and people will still love it.
Owen congratulation on your piece, and the work you have been doing reviewing your own reviews from 20 years ago. As for the movie I don´t think the movie is awful but I don´t think it is a good one – nor D or B – something in between…and this is of course my opinion…lol
Dear Owen,
Just to let you know, I often disagree with you, but I still like to read your opinions. I’ve learned a lot about movies from them, so please keep them coming.
I really enjoyed this piece about what it was like to draw the ire of the public over what is essentially a cute but unimportant diversion.
Don’t get me wrong! I love “Pretty Woman,” but you weren’t too far off the mark with what bugged you.
Interestingly, the last time I watched “Pretty Woman” I had an a-ha moment of my own. I finally (!) got the criticism Vivian hurls at Edward after he “outs” her as a prostitute to his friend. I finally understood why he made her feel cheap — by elevating her to his equal when it suited him, and then dashing her to the ground when it became embarrassing and inconvenient to champion her. Duh!
No wonder I liked my fairy tales.
Anyway, thanks for an interesting walk back down memory lane, Owen.
I’ll keep reading if you keep reviewing!
Pretty Woman is a Disney version of street prostitution where the hooker is healthy with shiny hair and pretty teeth, liberated not troubled and drug addicted so he doesn’t have to worry about catching something because she’s like the girl next door wearing a Halloween costume. The success of this probably led to them making Milk Money which is enough reason for me to hate Pretty Woman.
Owen Glieberman is so annoying. I’ve seen him write that actors should only play character close to themselves. Otherwise he will trash them in reviews.
And stop using the legendary Pauline Kael to make yourself look better. You just look desperate in juvenile.
Critics are so irrelevant these days. And the most annoying thing about them is they love to trash a film and then when it becomes popular and a classic, suddenly they want to reverse their original opinions. Please you would not bother to write this Owen if Pretty Woman was a forgotten rom-com.
Well duh, Daria. Yes, indeed, he is writing the article because he was off base, way way off base. Did you just disconnect from the point?
Also, it’s Gleiberman. And did you mean “desperate AND juvenile” by chance? Well maybe people who can use proper grammar seem that way.
???????…20 years tooooooo LATE.
Movie critics are so pathetic. Grandiose is good word. Obviously no one gave a crap whether you liked the movie or not. You D was insignificant as all reviews. You guys only have power and influence in your own mind. The public sees what it wants.
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