I appreciate this whole seduction thing you've got going on here, but let me give you a tip: I'm a sure thing.
Some things I just don't understand and this one has bugged me for years.I can't for the life of me understand movies where the love interest is a prostitute.
4 popular (some very) movies come to mind where the main character falls in love with a prostitute and they live happily ever after:
- Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman"
- Rebecca De Mornay in "Risky Business"
- Jamie Lee Curtis in "Trading Places"
- Dolly Parton in that one where Burt Reynolds is the sheriff and the Aggies beat the Longhorns (that I watched as a kid but would particularly recommend you don't watch)
The whole time I'm thinking, "She's a prostitute, brother! People give her money to fornicate with her in various and sundry ways. What, are you nuts?!"
But the movies are quite popular and the prostitution aspect seems to help, not hinder the movie.
What's the angle?
- Is it that all women see themselves as prostitutes waiting for prince charming, who is a "John," but a really nice one?
- Is it that all men want to marry prostitutes?
- To what do I attribute the success of that genre of film?
I think it's ridiculous, trivializing and/or glamorizing such a debasing embarrassment to society.
posted by GUNNY @ 07:43
18 comments
18 Comments:
Pretty Woman.
As for the appeal, I am not sure, but I must say, I am a fan of Pretty Woman, as Jason can attest to. Perhaps it's the whole fairy tale angle...she is rescued from her dire situation by Prince Chamring.
Interesting. While I don't approve of the movies, I have often thought the same thing about God. Why would He want a bunch of people playing the harlot with other gods on the hillsides....
And the whole Gomer thing. Poor Hosea.
Isn't it a tad fascinating that in the love story man would love such a creature? I think it's just the human hearts ache for a redemption story that draws people- even if they don't know why.
Could be. Thanks for the insight.
I've never been jazzed by the movie and I'm not so much a Julia Roberts fan, so it's lost on me.
I can understand those who are her fans liking the movie because of her, but she was a relative unknown at the time and way down the list of who the directors originally wanted.
In fact, I think I would be safe in saying that it's Pretty Woman that made her popular.
It is true that she's snatch from the jaws of life in hell and so it definitely has that happy ending going for it, which is so Richard Gere.
For the ending, I half expected Gere to go to the brothel and carry Julia Roberts out while she wears his hat and "Love Lift Us Up Where We Belong" plays in the background.
For the record, though I'm not a huge Julia Roberts fan, I do appreciate ... very much ... that they didn't cast Debra Winger in Pretty Woman.
No offense, Oil.
Good point, Anon.
I've often thought that next to Jesus and Job, Hosea had perhaps the greatest "cross to bear."
Although I can appreciate the similarity with the movies, I think the difference I would make is that the movies give the impression that the prostitute is really a princess.
When I read Ezekiel 16, for example, I don't come away thinking of our inherent greatness, but of His love to overcome our promiscuity.
Gunny, you forgot about Night Shift. I am with you though on not being a fan of such plots. I am thinking the whole time - she's a prostitute brother!
The gist is The Redemptive Power of True Love. I guess I agree with Anon.
On a side note, contrary to Gunny who likes Terms of Endearment because of the Shirley MacLaine romance, I like Terms of Endearment because Debra Winger dies at the end.
Ah! Night Shift! How could I forget?!
Gracias for the kick in the teeth, brother.
On an unrelated note, my pre-teen daughter would like her copy of The Princess Diaries back, assuming you're finished with it. My wife also has your copy of Beaches to give back to you. Thanks, Oil.
I wash my hands and my feet of you!
Prince Charming???? A guy who pays for women is Prince Charming? My, how the fairy tale has changed.
Could it have anything to do with Hollywood's attempt to make sin appear as NOT sin? If you root for the prostitute, you can't really say that she's living a life of sin. They do it with homesexual characters, too.
Looooove Brokers!
True Romance
Arthur
Leaving Las Vegas
Anonymous,
I was simply comparing the Pretty Woman plot to that of a fairy tale plot. (i.e. someone being rescued from a not so great life) Therefore, yes, in the case of Pretty Woman, I feel you could label Gere as the "Prince Charming" character.
As a side note, the popular book "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers deal with the same plot lines as the Gomer/Hosea story. Interesting read, although I did not agree with the entire "theology" of the book. But truly opened up my eyes to the love we are given that we so deeply do not deserve.
Anonymous 1, here, not to be confused with Anonymous 2...Perhaps in defense of Michelle K, In Christ's own lineage is a prostitute, (Rahab) and a girl who played a prostitute to get pregnant by her father in law- Judah.
Sin is sin But Redemption is the most beautiful of all stories told. Apparently even sinful Hollywood recognizes that. Another beautiful thing about redemption is the imputation of Christ's most loveliness over our such vulgarity- nothing in us being lovely to begin with. In that way, I can see Michelle K's point. I'll actually look into that book. Sounds interesting.
This "anonymous" fella/fellette is all over the place.
Everywhere I go, he/she is commenting on someone's blog.
Doesn't he/she have a job?
Anonymous #1,
Well put.
Hi, this is mark t. I was just struck with a strong urge to assume the identity of Anonymous #3, but resisted successfully.
Resistance is futile.
XOXO,
Anonymous #4
Speaking of our governor of New York was recently involved in a prostitution ring! How embarrassing! He should go to jail like the rest of everyone who breaks the law! Well, I didn't vote for him... he's a democrat!
And Gunny, you're wondering why people pay prostitutes? It's called SIN! And the only cure is the Jesus Christ!
Post a Comment
<< Home