25 years of Pretty Woman: 5 lessons every 90's kid learned from the iconic film

Did you know that Pretty Woman was originally supposed to be a dark mystery about the disadvantages of drug use? This surprise twist in the plot of the film doesn’t deter the fact that the Julia Robert and Richard Gere starrer was a favorite for many 90s kids, almost a standard regular at all sleepovers.

The film was originally pitched as a cautionary tale of drug use, but after the producers Disney and director Gary Marshall came on board, the film became more light-hearted, r eveals this Hello! magazine article.

The cast of the blockbuster rom-com reunited for an anniversary celebration on The Today Show with host Matt Lauer and revealed many such anecdotes about the film, and behind-the-scenes stories while filming.

The Hollywood reporter said  that while re-enacting some scenes from the film, Roberts remembered her lines with  precision while Gere fumbled a bit. In his defense, he did say that the film felt like it was 45 years old, almost “two marriages ago.”

So as Pretty Woman completes 25 years, and we’ve literally seen the film enough times to mouth every dialogue, here’s a comprehensive list of life lessons we’ve all learnt from the film:

1. How to be classy and quirky at the same time

In this scene Edward Lewis (Gere) takes Vivian (Roberts) to the Opera. After the show is over, Edward’s elderly friend asks her if she liked it. Vivian has never been to the Opera before, and she definitely looks stunning. But that moment could have been crucial if she said something stupid or unwarranted. However, she manages to be funny and likable at the same time. Win!

2. Standing up for yourself

Vivian walks into a seemingly upmarket store to buy herself fancy clothes and is immediately judged by the (rather catty) salesperson, to a point where she stormed out of the store. Anyone would be very embarrassed to even show their face there again, but Vivian comes back in the next day, and with a bunch of super stylish clothes and reminds the salesperson why no one should mess with her.

3. Allowing yourself to feel vulnerable

This scene defines vulnerability. At a complete low point, after being judged by many people around her and even being sexually propositioned by one of Edward’s friends, Vivian takes her time to sit back and let her feelings flow. Because when you bottle them up, they explode.

4. Letting go

Sing like no-one’s watching, they say. In this scene Vivian does exactly that, reminding us how to just chill and not give a rat’s bottom about the rest of the world.

5. Maintaining swag

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Vivian practiced her swag the most in the beginning of the film, when she was comfortable in her own skin. So create your own swag, and work it.