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Richard Gere, the renowned actor famous for his numerous successful roles, recently discussed his experience with “Pretty Woman” during a masterclass at the 81st Venice Film Festival. This event not only highlighted his career but also offered an amusing and insightful look back at one of his mosticonicroles.
The Venice Film Festival, known for itsglamorousevents, set the stage for Gere’s masterclass, which coincided with his 75th birthday.
The audience, clearly excited to celebrate both thefestivaland the actor, greeted him with enthusiastic cheers of “Happy Birthday.” Gere graciously acknowledged their warm wishes, and the mood was set for a memorable discussion.
The masterclass, held at the Master Point Arena at the Tennis Club Venezia, provided an intimate look at the craft of filmmaking. The event, moderated by Stéphane Lerouge, a film music expert, covered various aspects of cinema including acting, screenwriting, lighting, scoring, and dubbing.
The venue itself, located on the Lido, was abuzz with energy as film enthusiasts and industry professionals gathered to hear from the seasoned actor.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
The event kicked off with a nostalgic moment for Gere. He was shown a clip from his early film,Days of Heaven(1978), which elicited an emotional response from the actor.
Gere, who pointed out his son Homer in the audience, took a moment to express his pride. “I believe I was only slightly older inDays of Heavencompared to how old my son is now, and he’s just beginning his acting career. He’s really good,” Gere said.
The masterclass then shifted focus toPretty Woman, the 1990 romantic comedy that played a significant role in cementing Gere’s status as a leading man in Hollywood. Gere, while watching a clip from the film, humorously reflected on his performance and the iconic chemistry between himself and co-star Julia Roberts.
During the masterclass, a memorable scene fromPretty Womanwas shown.
In this particular scene, Gere’s character, Edward, a wealthy businessman, plays the piano while his love interest, Vivian (played by Julia Roberts), enters the room. The interaction between the characters quickly turnsintimate, with Edward undressing Vivian and engaging in a steamy moment on top of the piano.
Gere, known for his wit, made light of the scene, saying, “I mean, no chemistry. This actor and actress clearly had no chemistry at all… It’s been a while since I’ve seen that. That’s a sexy scene.” His playful remark drew laughter from the audience, highlighting the undeniable on-screen chemistry that had captivated viewers worldwide.
Despite the steamy interaction, Gere had a critical view of his own character. He described Edward as “criminally underwritten,” admitting that the role was essentially “a suit and a good haircut.” Nevertheless, the scene’s improvisational nature added depth to the character’s portrayal.
Gere provided some fascinating behind-the-scenes details about the piano scene. According to Gere, the scene was improvised to showcase his real-life piano-playing skills.
The idea came about during a conversation with the film’s director, Garry Marshall. Garry wanted to know, “What’s your usual routine late at night when you’re in a hotel?” Gere recalled. I responded, “When I’m in a hotel late at night, I’m often jet-lagged. So, I stay up all night, and if there’s a ballroom or a bar nearby, I’ll look for a piano and play it.”
Marshall then suggested incorporating this into the film. “So we basically improvised the scene,” Gere said. “Garry told me to ‘play something moody,’ so I began playing a tune that expressed the character’s inner emotions.”
The improvisational approach not only added authenticity to the scene but also highlighted Gere’s musical talents, enriching the overall narrative.
Box Office Success and Legacy
WhenPretty Womanwas released, itachievedsignificant success, earning more than $460 million globally. The film became one of the highest-grossing films of all time, reflecting its significant impact on both audiences and critics.
The film’s success, coupled with its memorable scenes and performances, solidified its place in cinematic history. Gere’s role in the film remains one of his most iconic, and the masterclass offered a chance to reflect on its lasting influence.
Shopping Scene – Pretty Woman (1990)
Data Table: Key Information About ‘Pretty Woman’
Aspect
Details
Release Year
1990
Worldwide Gross
Over $460 million
Director
Garry Marshall
Main Cast
Richard Gere, Julia Roberts
Notable Scene
Piano scene
Box Office Ranking at Release
Fifth-highest-grossing film of all time
Gere’s Age at the Festival
75
Conclusion
Richard Gere’s Masterclass: The Venice Film Festival provided an opportunity for Richard Gere to reflect on his career, including his iconic role inPretty Woman.
Nostalgic Moments: Gere shared emotional and humorous insights into his past work, including his early filmDays of Heavenand the memorable piano scene inPretty Woman.
Improvisation and Chemistry: The improvised nature of the piano scene added depth to the film, and Gere’s playful comments about his on-screen chemistry with Julia Roberts highlighted the film’s lasting appeal.
Box Office Impact:Pretty Womanremains a significant film incinematichistory, with impressive box office numbers and enduring popularity.
Last Updated: September 3, 2024
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