Richard Gere Says His Character In Pretty Woman With Julia Roberts Was ‘Criminally Underwritten’; ‘Basically A Suit And A Good Haircut’

As a lifestyle expert with a penchant for classic films and a deep appreciation for timeless performances, I must say that Richard Gere’s recent reminiscing about his iconic role in Pretty Woman was a delightful journey down memory lane. His candidness about the film’s success and the improvised piano scene adds an intriguing layer to the movie’s legacy.


As a lifestyle expert, I can’t help but reminisce about my experience filming one of my most iconic scenes from the 1990 romantic comedy classic, Pretty Woman, alongside the incredibly talented Julia Roberts who brought her character to life as my love interest. Recently reflecting on this memorable moment, I also discussed the enduring impact of the film and delved into the depth of my character, Edward Lewis, a corporate raider with wealth but yearning for more than just material possessions. Keep reading to uncover even more fascinating details!

The timeless romantic comedy “Pretty Woman,” directed by Garry Marshall, continues to be cherished for its captivating storyline and the exceptional acting pair, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Their on-screen chemistry was truly unforgettable. Recently, at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, Gere, celebrating his 75th birthday on August 31, participated in a masterclass. During this session, as reported by THR, he responded to a clip featuring his memorable piano scene with Roberts from the movie.

“I mean, no chemistry,” he quipped, adding, “This actor and this actress, obviously, had no chemistry between them.” The Norman actor further mentioned that he hadn’t watched Pretty Woman in a long time while acknowledging that the sequence was a “s*xy scene.” Gere further mentioned that he felt his character Edward Lewis was “criminally underwritten,” and joked that it was “basically a suit and a good haircut.” 

As reported by the source, the actor from Nights in Rodanthe later disclosed that the piano scene was an impromptu performance. He explained this during a discussion with director Garry Marshall, who inquired about his usual activities during late nights in a hotel.

Gere mentioned to Marshall that he frequently suffers from jet lag, hangs out in hotel ballrooms or bars, and if he comes across a piano, he’ll play it. He commented that the director wanted this action included in the scene. The actor revealed he improvised the segment and began playing a somber tune, explaining that it mirrored his character’s deep feelings and emotions.

In a surprising turn of events, despite anticipating otherwise, Pretty Woman turned out to be a massive box-office success, raking in $463.4 million worldwide, as Richard Gere revealed at a special event. Unbeknownst to him, Julia Roberts, and director Marshall, this romantic drama would become the blockbuster hit it is today.

He talked about the film’s unexpected reception, expressing that while they all enjoyed making the movie, they were unsure if anyone would see the project. Gere mentioned that they thought it was just a small project with a great director, noting, “We didn’t know if anyone would ever see this tiny movie. No one would ever pay attention to this little tiny movie.” 

Right now, you can stream “Pretty Woman” on Amazon Prime Video. Alongside Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, this movie features Jason Alexander, Laura San Giacomo, Héctor Elizondo, and Hank Azaria in notable roles.

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2024-09-01 18:22