35 Years Later, Julia Roberts Says You Couldn’t Make ‘Pretty Woman’ Today

Pretty Woman just turned 35 a few days ago. The movie was released on March 23, 1990.

When Julia Roberts filmed Pretty Woman in the late summer and early fall of 1989, she was just 21 years old. She had only recently turned 21, having been born on October 28, 1967. It was her first major role.

Now, at 57 years old, and one of the most famous people on Earth, Roberts reflected back on the film and her role as Vivian Ward, telling The Guardian:

I don’t really think you could make that movie now, right? So many things you could poke a hole in, but I don’t think it takes away from people being able to enjoy it.

It’s such a curious statement, especially given Anora winning all the Academy Awards and the 35th anniversary of Pretty Woman happening around the same time.

It’s strange because Anora is far more explicit. But Pretty Woman can feel out of step with today—too Disney, too much like a fairytale; too much concealment of the real power politics underlying sex work.

And, I mean, there are no more happy endings in the 2025s. That was such a 90s things.