Richard Gere can still recite most of his Pretty Woman dialogue word-for-word, and he proved it during our exclusive interview promoting his new film The Agency. The romantic comedy that defined his career apparently left an indelible mark on his memory.
Lasting
“‘I want the fairy tale,'” Gere quoted his famous line without hesitation. “Of course I remember. We shot that scene maybe 30 times trying different emotional approaches. Those words are burned into my brain.”
Pretty Woman turned 35 this year, and Gere has made peace with being forever associated with Edward Lewis. “For years, I resented how that role overshadowed other work,” he admitted. “Now I’m grateful. People love that movie.”
The romantic comedy became a cultural phenomenon when it released in 1990, grossing over $460 million worldwide and launching Julia Roberts to superstardom. Gere’s performance as the wealthy businessman who falls for Roberts’ escort character defined romantic leading men for a generation.
Behind The Scenes
What most fans don’t know – Gere almost turned down Pretty Woman multiple times. “I didn’t understand the character initially,” he explained. “The script rewrites during production made Edward more vulnerable and interesting.”
Director Garry Marshall helped Gere find emotional truth in a role that could have been one-dimensional. Their collaboration created layers of loneliness and disconnection beneath Edward’s wealthy exterior that made the romance believable.
The famous shopping scene where Edward takes Vivian to upscale boutiques came partly from Gere’s suggestions. “I wanted to show how money creates distance from authentic human connection,” he said. “Shopping became a metaphor for trying to buy intimacy.”
Career
Gere’s career since Pretty Woman has deliberately avoided similar romantic comedy roles. He’s chosen political thrillers, dramas, and independent films that challenge him artistically rather than repeat commercial success.
“I’m proud I didn’t become the romantic comedy guy,” he noted. “One Pretty Woman is perfect. Ten would have been torture.”
His current project The Agency shows Gere in completely different territory – a paranoid thriller about corporate espionage. The role requires physicality and intensity that contrasts sharply with Edward Lewis’s smooth charm.
Legacy
When asked about Pretty Woman’s cultural staying power, Gere credits the fairy tale simplicity. “People want to believe in transformation through love,” he said. “The movie delivers that fantasy without cynicism.”
He stays in touch with Roberts, though they’ve never worked together again. “We joke about a sequel,” he laughed. “But some things are perfect as they are. Why mess with it?”
The film’s influence extends beyond just romantic comedies. Pretty Woman established templates for power dynamic relationships and class-crossing romance that Hollywood still uses today.
Gere’s willingness to discuss Pretty Woman warmly shows how his perspective has evolved. Age and distance have allowed him to appreciate the film’s impact without feeling trapped by its success.
At 76, Gere continues working steadily in projects that interest him personally rather than chasing blockbuster glory. But he acknowledges that Pretty Woman gave him the freedom to be selective about roles.
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