In a recent interview, legendary actress Julia Roberts candidly expressed that she couldn’t portray her iconic character from the breakout film “Pretty Woman” in today’s world. At the age of 22, Roberts brought to life the role of Vivian Ward in the beloved 1990 romantic comedy, which not only catapulted her to superstardom but also grossed over $463 million globally. Now, at 58, she reflects on the implications of such a role through the lens of her numerous life experiences.
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Reflections on Innocence
Roberts discusses the challenges she would face if tasked with reprising her role as Vivian Ward. “Oh, it’s impossible,” she stated in an interview with Deadline. “I have too many years of the weight of the world inside of me now that I wouldn’t be able to kind of levitate in a movie like that, right?” She emphasizes that her experiences have fundamentally altered her perspective, making it difficult to embody the kind of innocence that characterized Vivian. “I mean, not weight of the world, like, negative, but just all the things that we learn, all the things that we put in our pockets along the lane,” she adds. For Roberts, capturing that youthful essence is no longer feasible.
Cultural Shifts and Changing Perceptions
As time has passed since the film’s release, Roberts acknowledges that societal views on “Pretty Woman” have evolved. “Well, I think anytime you have a huge passage of time and cultural shifts…” she reflected. This recognition of changing attitudes towards the film’s themes illustrates how much context matters in evaluating storylines from the past. She draws parallels to historical films, noting, “Think about all the movies and plays of the ’20s and ’30s and ’40s — you would look at them now and just be like, ‘How are people saying these things, doing these things?’” This awareness of cultural context highlights why Roberts feels she couldn’t reprise her role in today’s society.
Her Current Endeavors
Roberts shared her thoughts while promoting her upcoming film “After the Hunt,” set for release in 2025. In this new role, she showcases her versatility as an actress by portraying a college professor whose life becomes complicated when a student accuses another professor of sexual assault. This character marks a significant departure from her portrayal of Vivian Ward, illustrating not only her evolution as an actress but also the changing expectations of roles available to women in film. As she forges ahead, it’s clear that Roberts remains attuned to the nuances of portrayal, making informed choices about the characters she embodies.
As Julia Roberts reflects on her journey, it becomes evident why she feels she couldn’t portray her breakout character from “Pretty Woman” now. The wisdom gained through years of life experience reshapes her understanding and approach to acting, allowing her to explore new, profound narratives in her ongoing career.