How do I manage to link Pretty Woman with Dumb & Dumber?
This evening, Pretty Woman was screened on a 3-storey, inflatable screen in Stanley Park; part of the continually wonderful Chevron Summer Cinema Series. Last week, Jaws. The week prior, E.T. It’s a great Tuesday tradition to attend in my neighbourhood.
Having never actually seen Pretty Woman in its entirety, I was immensely entertained! I was very familiar with the movie’s casing, however, as the image of Julia Roberts in those knee-high boots is burned forever in my mind by my teenage eyes. But the film itself; never watched it. Though if every romantic-comedy was this impressive, you would have far fewer groans at the mention of Rom-Com.
Being more of a Raunch-Com fan in my teens, I was naturally familiar with Dumb & Dumber; I saw it in the theatre, owned it on VHS, and have seen it countless times. So, upon viewing Pretty Woman this evening, several similarities exist between the two films.
•The leading lady is a red head: Julia Roberts and Lauren Holly are both beautiful and stunning women. While their respective roles are in no way alike, Roberts and Holly possess amazing eyes and the kind of smile that lights up a room. As well, audiences are teased with flashes of skin. ;) (also, I was floored to learn that they share October 28 as a birthday! Thanks IMDb!)
•The premise mashes poor & desperate falling in love with rich & elite. Jim Carrey (and later, Jeff Daniels) are both lovestruck with Holly’s character Mary, a wealthy socialite. Same goes with Roberts towards Richard Gere (though the affection is reciprocated). Fast cars, early-90s fashion, and an awesome soundtrack are also part of the enjoyment.
•The classic glamour montage, to the tune of Roy Orbison’s Pretty Woman. Yes, even Lloyd & Harry get the Julia Roberts treatment, as their sudden financial windfall assists them with glamming up for a formal occasion. And while their transformation is ridiculously cheesy compared to Roberts’ elegant shopping experience, both musical sequences signify an important advancement of the film; for Lloyd & Harry, it means access to a party where they will meet up with Mary; for Vivian, it signifies her exit from prostituting, as well as gaining Edward’s increasing fondness.
If it’s not these examples, how did I manage to link these two films?
On our way out, I remarked to Lindsay and Fleur that my feet were getting sweaty from the wool socks I pulled over my other pair; upon which Fleur replies, “at least you had socks…”
I look down, and poor Fleur is wearing slip-ons; clearly not prepared for how cold it gets by Second Beach. Click on this scene from Dumb & Dumber on YouTube:
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