SHE WALKED OFF THE STREET, INTO HIS LIFE AND STOLE HIS HEART.

Depressed corporate raider Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) hooks up with a Hollywood Boulevard prostitute (Julia Roberts) and realizes she’s a human being.

An enormous box-office hit at the time, this film also turned Roberts into a movie star. Originally intended as a dark portrayal of prostitution, the story ended up a dishonest take on ”Cinderella”, but the filmmakers win us over thanks to a light touch, brilliant casting and an excellent score of pop tunes.

Subtle it ain’t, but the film finds the right tone for the era, with its depiction of Wall Street trying to find its heart.

1990-U.S. 117 min. Color. Directed by Garry Marshall. Screenplay: J.F. Lawton. Cast: Richard Gere (Edward Lewis), Julia Roberts (Vivian Ward), Ralph Bellamy (James Morse), Jason Alexander, Laura San Giacomo, Hector Elizondo… Hank Azaria.

Trivia: Al Pacino, Burt Reynolds and Christopher Reeve were considered for Gere’s part; Winona Ryder, Karen Allen and Molly Ringwald as Vivian. Later a Broadway musical.

Golden Globe: Best Actress (Roberts).