Kicking Back With a Timeless Classic: 35 Years of "Pretty Woman"
Timeless Romance Cinema: Assessing Their Enduring Appeal Through the Years
Grab your couch, some chocolate, and settle in for a romantic comedy night. But beware, because some oldies may not have held up to today's standards. Especially when it comes to love and the evolving roles of women.
For instance, "Pretty Woman". When it first graced screens in Germany in July 1990, audiences couldn't get enough, propelling Julia Roberts and Richard Gere to superstardom. But does this classic still resonate 35 years later? And how have other rom-coms fared over time?
"Pretty Woman"
When the dashing businessman Edward falls for the streetwise Vivian, he purchases her companionship during a trip to Beverly Hills. To avoid embarrassment, she's allowed to shop in luxury stores and is taught appropriate behavior. "Stop fidgeting," he keeps telling her. Thirty-five years ago, the romance between Richard Gere and Julia Roberts seemed highly desirable. But many parts are hard to swallow today.
"Pretty Woman" depicts women as clueless beings who need to be guided and, in a way, educated by the wise and paternalistic man. As he climbs the corporate ladder, the woman's happiness is found in lavish clothes and true love.
Verdict: Despite excellent acting, the film has aged poorly (stream on Disney+).
"When Harry Met Sally"
Icons come from this 1989 romantic comedy. The best friends since college, Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan), eventually develop feelings for each other. In the famous scene, they're seated in a restaurant, and Sally fakes an orgasm, prompting the waitress at the next table to humorously order, "I'll have what she’s having."
"When Harry Met Sally" still shines as a fantastic film that tackles a tough question: can men and women truly be friends, without sex? The dialogue is clever, the chemistry between Ryan and Crystal is unbeatable, and they were considered the dream couple of Hollywood at the time.
Verdict: Delightful for a entertaining and romantic evening (stream on Prime Video with premium subscription, available on YouTube, Google Play, and Apple TV+).
"10 Things I Hate About You"
This combination of coming-of-age humor, romance, and high school drama, based on Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," premiered in 1999. Bianca, the most popular girl, can only attend parties if her older sister Kat participates. So, Bianca tries to set Kat up - no easy task considering Kat has no interest in romance and prefers Sylvia Plath.
More than 25 years later, "10 Things I Hate About You," starring Julia Stiles and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, is still amusing. Heath Ledger enters the scene as the outsider Patrick Verona, who agrees to court Kat - for a fee. Though Kat is insistent on her disinterest, Patrick persists. On the bright side, he acknowledges and respects the boundaries Kat sets and her desire to resist societal expectations.
Intriguingly, this was Ledger's first substantial role at the beginning of his career, which culminated in his outstanding portrayal of The Joker in "The Dark Knight." Tragically, he passed away unexpectedly in 2008.
Verdict: Offers intelligent and well-acted entertainment, showcasing a young Heath Ledger (stream on Disney+).
"Sleepless in Seattle"
Following the death of his mother, young Jonah searches for a new woman for his father, Sam, on a radio show. Touched, journalist Annie offers to interview Sam to learn more about his search for love.
"Sleepless in Seattle," released in 1993, is an endearing comedy exploring love in all its forms while poking gentle fun at cliché emotions and male arrogance.
Verdict: A heartwarming story perfect for a romantic evening with plenty of humor. Keep the tissues handy! (Stream on Magenta TV)
"How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days"
Women are portrayed as one-dimensional characters, with their ultimate goal being to find a man, as demonstrated in the film "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." Kate Hudson plays magazine journalist, Andie, assigned to make a man fall for her and then drive him away in only 10 days. Her target is Benjamin (Matthew McConaughey), who accepts the challenge just to win a bet.
Even at its debut in 2003, the comedy was deemed somewhat shallow. Looking back, some elements are irritating. Women are always blamed for the problems in relationships, accused of being too clingy, too emotional, too possessive, and easily available – a long list of "what women do wrong" in love. A healthy partnership demands equality.
Verdict: Not necessarily worth watching, except to study an outdated portrayal of women (stream on Disney+)
"Notting Hill"
Hugh Grant has become known for his role as an Umpa-Lumpa in the fairy tale film "Wonka" or as a silver-haired former lover in "Bridget Jones." However, around 25 years ago, he was the heartthrob of romcoms. His distinguishing feature: a lovable puppy-dog look with furrowed brows. This was on display in "Notting Hill" (1999), where he appeared as a travel literature shop owner in London, whose life is turned upside down when he falls for superstar, Anna Scott (Julia Roberts).
The film is bursting with witty dialogue, a fast-paced story, and eccentric characters. It also includes a famous line: "I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her."
Verdict: A romantic delight that transports you to the vibrant neighborhood of Notting Hill. (Stream on Prime Video)
"Four Weddings and a Funeral"
"Four Weddings and a Funeral" has cemented its status as the quintessential rom-com. Charles (Hugh Grant) and Carrie (Andie MacDowell) meet, spend a night together, and then go their separate ways. They encounter each other again at four weddings and a funeral, yet their love story seems impossible in the face of everyone else's romance.
The 1994 film offers a charming ode to love in various forms, blending wit, situational comedy, romance, and a touch of melancholy. A magnificent cast including Kristin Scott Thomas, John Hannah, and "Mr. Bean's" Rowan Atkinson round out the production.
In the end, MacDowell and Grant share an emotional kiss in the rain, and Carrie asks Charlie, "Is it still raining? I hadn’t noticed." For some, this is one of the most romantic scenes in film history, while others see it as one of the worst lines ever written.
In conclusion, it remains the best cinematic entertainment after all these years (Stream on Prime Video).
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"The entertainment landscape has evolved significantly since the release of 'Pretty Woman' in 1990, and some romantic comedies, like this classic, have aged poorly. Yet, others like 'When Harry Met Sally' (1989) and 'Notting Hill' (1999) continue to shine, offering excellent acting and thought-provoking themes that resonate even today."
"When exploring modern romantic comedies, it's essential to question the portrayal of women and relationships, as demonstrated in films such as 'Sleepless in Seattle' (1993) and 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days' (2003). While some have outdated representations, others like '10 Things I Hate About You' (1999) offer more progressive depictions of female characters."
