Surprising slip-ups you probably missed in Pretty Woman!
“Pretty Woman” isn’t just another romantic comedy — it’s a cultural time capsule. Released in 1990, the film catapulted Julia Roberts and Richard Gere into Hollywood royalty and became one of the most beloved love stories of all time. But behind its glossy charm lies a much darker original script, a handful of hilarious continuity errors, and some unforgettable behind-the-scenes moments that shaped it into the classic we know today.
Before it became a fairytale romance, Pretty Woman was a gritty drama titled 3,000 — named after the amount Vivian (Julia Roberts) was paid for her week with Edward (Richard Gere). Written by then-unknown screenwriter J.F. Lawton, the early draft explored harsh realities of class division, exploitation, and corporate greed. It was never intended to be a lighthearted love story. But when Disney acquired the project, everything changed. The studio executives decided to strip away the darker elements and replace them with a more hopeful tone. The story of a cynical businessman and a struggling escort became a modern Cinderella tale set against the bright lights of Los Angeles. The ending, which was originally far from happy, was reimagined into the rooftop rescue scene we all remember — complete with flowers, declarations of love, and that famous fire escape kiss.
It’s nearly impossible to imagine anyone other than Richard Gere as the smooth, controlled Edward Lewis — but he wasn’t the first choice. Al Pacino was initially offered the role and even did a screen test with Julia Roberts. Though Pacino later said he liked the script, he ultimately declined the role for undisclosed reasons. Years later, he admitted that Julia Roberts was already magnetic, even during early readings. “You could tell it was going to be big,” Pacino recalled. “That girl had something special — just light.” Pacino’s instincts were right. Roberts’ performance would not only define her career but cement her as America’s sweetheart. Still, you can’t help but wonder what a Pacino-led version of Pretty Woman might have looked like — likely darker, moodier, and far less romantic.
Even the most polished Hollywood productions aren’t immune to continuity errors. One of Pretty Woman’s most famous bloopers happens during the breakfast scene. Vivian sits at the table, chatting with Edward while nibbling on a croissant. Moments later — poof — it’s suddenly a pancake. Director Garry Marshall later admitted he simply preferred Julia’s performance in the later takes, even though she’d swapped pastries between shoots. Continuity be damned — charm came first.
The red gown that Vivian wears to the opera isn’t just iconic — it’s symbolic. Costume designer Marilyn Vance crafted it as a visual metaphor for transformation. The dress represented Vivian’s evolution from outsider to confident woman, blending sensuality with elegance. Vogue once called it “the perfect balance of sex and sophistication.” The look, complete with white gloves and a matching necklace, marked a turning point for the character — her self-worth finally catching up with her beauty. Vance designed six distinct outfits for Roberts, each signaling a new phase in Vivian’s emotional growth. Even the brown polka-dot dress from the polo match — made from vintage silk discovered in a small Los Angeles fabric shop — spoke to her understated transformation. The details were meticulous; even her shoes, sourced from Chanel, were chosen to contrast her early, scrappy streetwear.
As for Edward’s wardrobe, Vance gave Gere a sharp collection of tailored suits in brown, navy, and gray tones — meant to evoke controlled sophistication. But the film’s most famous accessory, the tie that Vivian playfully grabs during the shopping scene, wasn’t designer at all. “It cost about $48,” Vance revealed. “Nothing special — just something that felt real.” If you watch closely, the tie actually changes throughout the film — its knot, collar style, even its pattern — a small detail lost amid the chemistry burning on-screen.
Few movie moments are as instantly recognizable as the jewelry box snap scene — the one that captures Julia Roberts’ spontaneous, radiant laugh. But that moment was never scripted. According to Garry Marshall, it was all a prank. “Julia sometimes came to set a little sleepy,” he joked. “So I told Richard, ‘When she reaches for the box, close it fast.’” The startled laugh that followed was so genuine, the crew erupted in laughter — and Marshall knew instantly it had to stay in the film. That improvised gesture became one of the most iconic moments in romantic-comedy history.
Even the most devoted Pretty Woman fans might’ve missed these quirks: Edward’s disappearing shoes — after leaving the opera, Edward takes off his shoes in the park, only for them to magically reappear moments later. The vanishing money — early in the film, Vivian tucks a $100 bill into her boot, but when she takes the boots off later, the cash has mysteriously vanished. The dancing condoms — when Vivian shows Edward a collection of colored condoms, their order changes between shots — almost as if they were choreographed. The magical breakfast — not only does the croissant morph into a pancake, but the bite marks change mid-scene. Each blooper adds a layer of unintentional charm — proof that even a fairytale has its rough edges.
For all the film’s success, Richard Gere has been candid about his reservations. At a Venice Film Festival appearance, he called Edward “criminally underwritten” — little more than “a suit and a good haircut.” One scene he particularly disliked was the piano sequence. Ironically, it was improvised. Marshall had asked Gere what he’d do in a hotel at night, and Gere said he’d likely find a piano and play. “He said, ‘Do that,’ so I did. I played something moody, something that felt like Edward’s loneliness,” Gere explained. The scene, quiet and melancholic, remains one of the film’s most sensual moments.
It wasn’t just acting — Roberts and Gere’s connection was real. The two bonded quickly, and their easy chemistry radiated off-screen. Director Garry Marshall once described walking into a room and seeing them deep in conversation before filming had even begun. “They were just looking at each other,” he said. “And I thought, that’s it. That’s the spark.” Roberts later admitted she practically begged Gere to take the role. “I said, ‘If you don’t do this movie and it falls apart, I’ll lose my job. It’ll be terrible.’” Gere laughed as he recalled the moment she slid him a note that read, Please say yes. Thankfully, he did — and the rest is movie history.
Decades later, Pretty Woman remains more than a love story. It’s a reflection of class, transformation, and self-worth — wrapped in humor and heart. Beneath the surface-level glitz, the film’s real message is about empathy and seeing value where the world doesn’t. Maybe that’s why fans keep watching it. Despite its imperfections, its charm is timeless — a reminder that even fairytales need a little chaos to feel real. As Julia Roberts herself once said, “It’s not just a love story — it’s about being seen, finally, for who you are