Summary
Despite being completely different stories for different audiences,The Princess Diariesmovies have two subtle but fun references toPretty Woman. Filmmaker Garry Marshall became best known for his rom-coms in the 1980s and 1990s, and one of his most memorable works is the 1990 filmPretty Woman. Starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere (in their first rom-com collaboration with Marshall),Pretty Womantook the audience to Los Angeles to meet Vivian Ward (Roberts), a sex worker and escort, and Edward Lewis (Gere), a rich corporate raider from New York who hires Vivian to accompany him to social events for a week.
The more time they spend together, the more Vivian and Edward connect and eventually fall in love, but Vivian begins to feel that her job and lifestyle interfere with Edward’s. Despite its controversial topics,Pretty Womanwas a critical and commercial success, boosting Roberts’ career and establishing her as a 1990s rom-com icon.Pretty Womanhas also been highly influential in the rom-com genre, and even impacted subsequent works by Marshall. In 2001, Marshall broughtThe Princess Diaries, and despite being a family-friendly story, he included two subtle but fun references toPretty Womanin it and its sequel.
The Original Ending Of Pretty Woman Explained (And Why It Changed)
Pretty Woman is a well-known movie, starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. However, the original script had a not-so-happy ending.
Both The Princess Diaries Movies Reference Vivian’s Snail Scene From Pretty Woman
The Princess Diaries Recreated Pretty Woman’s Snail Scene In Their Own Ways
Vivian does her best to fit in during dinner, but when she cracks a snail, it flies into the air and is caught by a waiter.
At one point inPretty Woman, Vivian accompanies Edward to dinner with his colleagues, in which they are served escargots. Unfamiliar with them and how to eat them, Vivian does her best to fit in, but when she cracks a snail, it flies into the air and is caught by a waiter. When Vivian shyly calls them “slippery little suckers”,the waiter simply smiles at her and tells her that “it happens all the time”. This became one ofPretty Woman’s most memorable scenes, so much so that Marshall recreated it in bothPrincess Diariesmovies.
Mia accidentally breaks a cup, and a waiter helps her pick up the pieces. Mia apologizes and the waiter tells her that “it happens all the time”.
InThe Princess Diaries, Mia’s (Anne Hathaway) first event as Genovian royalty is a state dinner, in which her clumsiness shines through. When trying to call for a toast, Mia accidentally breaks a cup, and a waiter helps her pick up the pieces. Mia apologizes and the waiter tells her that “it happens all the time”, andthe waiter is played by Allan Kent, who also played the waiter inPretty Woman’s snail scene. Kent returned inThe Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, once more aiding Mia during a clumsy moment.
When Mia enters the room, she waves at the guests and her bracelet flies into the air, with the guard behind her catching it.
The Princess Diaries 2reunites viewers with Mia now as the official Princess of Genovia, and it opens with a special ball for her 21st birthday at the castle, at which she’s expected to meet all eligible bachelors. When Mia enters the room, she waves at the guests and her bracelet flies into the air, with the guard behind her catching it.The guard was played by Kent and, once more, he delivered his iconic “it happens all the time” lineto ease Mia’s embarrassment.
20 Best Quotes From The Princess Diaries
The Princess Diaries was a critical part of early 2000s pop culture, and many of its best quotes are still powerful today.
The Princess Diaries Featured Many Pretty Woman Actors
Garry Marshall Brought Back Some Of His Frequent Collaborators
Héctor Elizondo played hotel manager Barney inPretty Womanand Queen Clarisse’s head of security Joe in bothPrincess Diariesmovies.
Garry Marshall and Allan Kent and his “it happens all the time” line aren’t the only links betweenPretty WomanandThe Princess Diariesmovies. Just like in other rom-coms by him, Marshall brought back some of his frequent collaborators inThe Princess Diaries, starting with Héctor Elizondo, who played hotel manager Barney inPretty Womanand Queen Clarisse’s head of security Joe in bothPrincess Diariesmovies.
Kathleen Marshall played a clerk on the hotel desk inPretty Womanand Clarisse’s secretary Charlotte inThe Princess Diariesand its sequel; Larry Miller played the manager of the clothing storeVivian gets her new wardrobe from and Mia’s stylist; and Patrick Richwood played the elevator attendant inPretty Womanand Mia’s eccentric neighbor inThe Princess Diaries. Despite their different stories and target audiences,The Princess DiariesandPretty Womanhave some fun and interesting connections.
Pretty Woman
Directed by Gary Marshall, Pretty Woman stars Julia Roberts and Richard Gere as Vivian Ward and Edward Lewis. Lewis is a wealthy New York businessman who hires Hollywood sex worker Ward to accompany him during his stay in Los Angeles. Initially wary of each other, the couple’s relationship grows steadily deeper over Lewis' stay, causing Ward to begin to rethink her career path.
