Media Review #2: Kelsey

Kelsey L

Word Count: 581

Pretty Woman is a film about a prostitute named Vivian who is living in Los Angeles and works on the streets at night just to make rent. One night she meets a man named Edward Lewis by accident and ends up spending the night with him. Edward realizes she is a free-spirited, fun-loving, beautiful woman and asks her if she would spend the week with him, attending business dinners and fancy dates. As Edward starts falling for Vivian and taking her out to fancy places, Vivian starts to notice the looks of disapproval and distaste she is receiving. Throughout the movie Vivian struggles to deal with the normal mistreatment she receives from others because she also starts falling for Edward. Vivian wants to be treated like the normal, respectable woman she is, but she is not in his world. People are often very quick to judge and see nothing beyond a person’s occupation when they are a sex worker. They are typically treated as “dirty” women who “whore” themselves out. What people fail to see is the struggles that have led them to sex work. Sex workers are often under privileged people who are just trying to keep food on the table and a roof over their head by any means necessary. Vivian is treated poorly by people all throughout the movie just because of her occupation.

When Edward requests that Vivian go shopping to find a nice dress for dinner, she finds herself in a very judgmental store on Rodeo Drive. When she asks for help looking for a dress the sales associate says, “I don’t think we have anything for you. You’re obviously in the wrong place. Please leave.” The shop sold high end clothing, and when the sales associates saw Vivian walk in in her revealing outfit, they instantly thought that she did not belong there. They judged her appearance and refused to do business with her because they did not think she had the money to pay for the expensive clothes, nor did they think a prostitute should be shopping in their store. This encounter is shocking and upsetting for Vivian as she was looking to try and get better clothes to look more presentable. She left the store feeling cheap and hopeless.

Edward’s lawyer, Phillip, treats Vivian like a dirty, worthless woman who is only good for sex. When he is alone with Vivian he makes many unwanted sexual advances, and when she told him no he said, “Maybe if I screw you and take you to the opera then I could be a happy guy just like Edward. You’re a $50 whore Vivian.” Phillip viewed her as a cheap distraction for Edward and refused to realize that he could enjoy her company outside of just sex. When Vivian does not comply with Phillip’s wishes, he hits her. This shows that in his eyes, sex workers are nothing outside of their profession. They are simply there to serve men and deserve to be treated poorly for not doing anything that is asked of them.

In Pretty Woman Vivian was a strong woman who handled dealing with harsh encounters because of her job very well. Sex workers are normal people who deal with everyday life just like everyone else but have to deal with the stigma that comes along with the job. This makes difficult lives even more difficult. Women should be able to have whatever occupation they desire without being treated less that others.