--- title: "Pretty Woman: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/pretty-woman/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/pretty-woman" critics_score: 71 critics_reviews: 7 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Pretty Woman (1990): what the critics said Critics' score 71 from 7 reviews: 6 positive, 0 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics welcome Pretty Woman as warm, polished romantic escapism, with Julia Roberts receiving the most consistent praise. The reviews single out her humour, naturalness and physical performance, while the chemistry between Roberts and Richard Gere makes the fairy-tale romance persuasive for many. Glossy presentation, sharp dialogue and supporting performances also earn approval, though the leads are the main reason critics give for accepting the unlikely premise. The divide concerns how much that charm excuses. Several favourable reviews acknowledge the materialist fantasy and limited social depth, treating them as tolerable features of a lightweight romance; others find dated touches in the music and clothes. The Los Angeles Times is the sharp dissent, finding the comedy frail and its updating of Pygmalion lazy, with little convincing transformation. The spread is therefore wide, but the objections rarely overturn the prevailing affection for the performances. ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 23 March 1990. The critic finds the film an innocent and openhearted romantic fable that glows with warmth despite its premise. He singles out the believable and sympathetic performances by Richard Gere and Julia Roberts for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/pretty-woman-1990) ## Empire — Toby Rose Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic finds the film a lightweight modern fairy tale with strong chemistry between Gere and Roberts that overcomes its lack of social depth. The performances and stylish presentation are highlighted as its main draws. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/pretty-woman-review/) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 21 March 1990. The critic calls it a crowd-pleasing romantic comedy that hits the right emotional targets and should be a monster hit. She singles out Julia Roberts' starmaking performance as the key element that makes the film blossom. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1990/film/news/1990s-film-review-pretty-woman-1201345118/) ## The New York Times — Janet Maslin Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 23 March 1990. The critic calls the film giddy, lighthearted escapism that deserves a place in the time capsule of the era. She singles out Julia Roberts' enchantingly beautiful, funny and natural performance as the element that makes it special. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/23/movies/review-film-high-rolling-boy-meets-streetwalking-girl.html) ## Total Film — Jonathan Crocker Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 25 January 2010. The critic acknowledges the film's materialist fantasy elements but recommends enjoying the re-release as silly, snazzy escapism that evokes simpler times. Its enduring appeal as a star-making vehicle for Roberts is noted positively. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/pretty-woman-20th-anniversary-re-release-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Sheila Benson Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 23 March 1990. The critic finds the film a frail comedy whose only real assets are Julia Roberts' physical presence. She singles out the lazy updating of Pygmalion and lack of genuine transformation work for complaint. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-23-ca-549-story.html) ## Radio Times — Joanna Berry Rating 4 out of 5. The critic notes how the film became a delightful romantic comedy in Marshall's hands, making the hooker-meets-millionaire tale plausible with glossy direction, a hit-filled soundtrack, a perky screenplay, and strong supporting performances. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-uchxhe/pretty-woman/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Henry Sheehan 19 March 1990. The film creates a slick romantic comedy from the premise of a wealthy executive hiring a prostitute as his companion, transforming her into a sophisticated partner. It succeeds as polished entertainment with strong supporting performances and production design despite an underlying disregard for women's feelings. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/pretty-woman-review-1990-movie-988195/) ## Time Out — Anna Smith Rating 4 out of 5 stars. 9 February 2010. The critic praises the sharp dialogue and great chemistry between Gere and Roberts, calling it a thoroughly enjoyable, character-driven romance that still stands up despite some dated elements like the soundtrack and wardrobe. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/pretty-woman) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 30 September 2005. The critic finds the film holds up extremely well on re-release, praising its integrity, style and restraint compared to modern American rom-coms, and singles out Julia Roberts' consistently good performance and body language that never lets viewers forget her character's roots. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/pretty-woman-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/pretty-woman.md