Pretty Woman

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, Pretty Woman is available in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Netflix and fuboTV right now. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. Its 7/10 TMDB score, built from 9,047 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Richard Gere is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. Start it on Disney Plus whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Pretty Woman arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate Pretty Woman from the crowd. Vivian is a carefree, streetwise diamond in the rough when she meets sophisticated billionaire Edward in a chance encounter that turns into a week-long business arrangement. But Vivian's energetic spirit challenges Edward's no-nonsense approach to life, and soon they are teaching each other – and falling in love! Richard Gere and Julia Roberts lead a cast that never overplays a joke. It hit screens in 1990. Pretty Woman earns its laughs from character rather than situation, which is why it does not wear thin the way pure farce tends to. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in Pretty Woman. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Richard Gere is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.