Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com ) is a sub-genre of comedy and romance fiction , focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount all obstacles.
117-425: Pretty Woman is a 1990 American romantic comedy film directed by Garry Marshall , from a screenplay by J. F. Lawton . The film stars Richard Gere and Julia Roberts , and features Héctor Elizondo , Ralph Bellamy (in his final performance), Laura San Giacomo , and Jason Alexander in supporting roles. The film's story centers on Hollywood escort Vivian Ward and wealthy businessman Edward Lewis. Vivian
234-511: A Baby . It was also Disney's highest-grossing R-rated release until Deadpool & Wolverine surpassed it in 2024. It is the fourth-highest grossing romantic comedy film to date. Pretty Woman received mixed reviews from critics, with positive reviews praising the stars' chemistry and the dialogue. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes the film holds an approval rating of 65% based on 77 reviews, with an average rating of 6.0/10. The website's critical consensus states, " Pretty Woman may be
351-404: A chance, could be a lady's lady....The attempted laughs (few succeed) are at her expense." Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a "D," saying it "starts out as a neo-Pygmalion comedy" and becomes a "plastic screwball soap opera", with the "kinds of characters who exist nowhere but in the minds of callowly manipulative Hollywood screenwriters". Gleiberman conceded that with
468-538: A fast, non-stop game. This form of polo lacked the aggressive methods and required fewer equestrian skills. From the 1800s to the 1910s, a host of teams representing Indian principalities dominated the international polo scene. The game had reached Samoa by the 1890's. The World Champions Polo League was launched in Jaipur in 2016. It is a new version of polo, similar to the Twenty20 format of cricket. The pitch
585-576: A fatal injury during a game. After the Muslim conquests to the Ayyubid and Mameluke dynasties of Egypt and the Levant , their elites favoured it above all other sports. Notable sultans such as Saladin and Baybars were known to play it and encourage it in their courts. Saladin was known for being a skilled polo player, which contributed to his cavalry training. Polo sticks were featured as one of
702-400: A free "knock-in" from the place where the ball crossed the goal line, thus getting ball back into play. Arena polo has rules similar to the field version, and is less strenuous for the player. It is played in a 300 by 150 feet (91 by 46 m) enclosed arena, much like those used for other equestrian sports; the minimum size is 150 by 75 feet (46 by 23 m). There are many arena clubs in
819-505: A hole in, but I don't think it takes away from people being able to enjoy it". American Film Institute lists: The soundtrack features the songs (among others): The soundtrack has been certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The opera featured in the film is La Traviata , which also served as inspiration for its plot. The highly dramatic aria fragment that
936-865: A match. The challenge was published 2 June 1876, in The Galveston Daily News . By the time the article came out on 2 June, the Denison Club had already received a letter from Bennett indicating the challenge was offered before the "first" games in New York. There is an urban legend that the first game of polo in America was played in Boerne, Texas , at retired British officer Captain Glynn Turquand's famous Balcones Ranch. The Boerne, Texas, legend also has plenty of evidence pointing to
1053-405: A note written by Marshall, Mary Steenburgen was also among the first choices. Diane Lane came very close to being cast (the script was much darker at the time); they had gone as far as costume fittings, but due to scheduling conflicts she could not accept. Michelle Pfeiffer turned the role down, saying she did not like the script's "tone." Daryl Hannah was also considered but believed the role
1170-444: A partner or because of social pressures. However, the screenwriters leave clues that suggest that the characters are attracted to each other and that they would be a good love match. The characters often split or seek time apart in order to sort out their emotions or deal with external obstacles to being together, which they eventually overcome. While the two protagonists are separated, one or both of them usually realizes that they love
1287-627: A period of rest and maintenance. This seasonal flow highlights Mar del Plata’s dual role as a sports hub and a seaside retreat. Polo has found popularity throughout the rest of the Americas, including Brazil , Chile , Mexico , and the United States of America . Even with the global spread of the sport Argentina has remained the largest producer of the highest quality horses and players. The country's fertile farmland around Buenos Aires and its long standing tradition of polo has made Argentina
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#17327759910651404-410: A pony with their mallet. Unsafe hooking is a foul that will result in a penalty shot being awarded. For example, it is a foul for a player to reach over an opponent's mount in an attempt to hook. The other basic defensive play is called the bump or ride-off. It's similar to a body check in ice hockey . In a ride-off, a player rides their pony alongside an opponent's mount to move an opponent away from
1521-809: A sense of awkwardness between the two potential partners by depicting an initial clash of personalities or beliefs, an embarrassing situation, or by introducing a comical misunderstanding or mistaken identity situation. Sometimes, the term is used without a hyphen (a "meet cute"), or as a verb ("to meet cute"). Roger Ebert describes the "concept of a Meet Cute" as "when boy meets girl in a cute way." As an example, he cites "The Meet Cute in Lost and Found [which] has Jackson and Segal running their cars into each other in Switzerland. Once recovered, they Meet Cute again when they run into each other while on skis. Eventually, they fall in love." In many romantic comedies,
1638-416: A small hard ball through the opposing team's goal . Each team has four mounted riders, and the game usually lasts one to two hours, divided into periods called chukkas or chukkers. Polo has been called "the sport of kings", and has become a spectator sport for equestrians and high society , often supported by sponsorship . The progenitor of polo and its variants existed from the 6th century BC to
1755-409: A stoppage in play, whichever comes first. There is a four-minute interval between chukkas and a ten-minute halftime. Play is continuous and is only stopped for rule infractions (fouls), broken tack (equipment) or injury to horse or player. The object is to score goals by hitting the ball between the goal posts, no matter how high in the air. If the ball goes wide of the goal, the defending team is allowed
1872-412: A traditional field sport and one of the world's oldest known team sports . It originated in ancient Persia (modern-day Iran ), dating back over 2,000 years. Initially played by Persian nobility as a training exercise for cavalry units, polo eventually spread to other parts of the world. The game is played by two opposing teams with the objective of scoring using a long-handled wooden mallet to hit
1989-435: A yuppie fantasy, but the film's slick comedy, soundtrack, and casting can overcome misgivings." On Metacritic , the film has a weighted average score of 51 out of 100, based on 18 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews." Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale. The film's detractors criticized the overuse of the " hooker with a heart of gold " trope. Others opined that
2106-520: Is a complete knockout, and this performance will make her a major star...Mr. Gere is mildly constrained by the button-down aspects of Edward's character, but he manages to be dapper, amusing, and the perfect foil. Though it has not been that long since he himself was on the other side of the Hollywood gigolo equation , he conveys a dignity and presence well suited to a soon-to-be-radicalized captain of industry." Carina Chocano of The New York Times said
2223-474: Is a corporate spy. Edward dismisses Philip's concerns by explaining their arrangement. With the knowledge of Vivian's true background, the married Philip goes to talk to her alone and crudely propositions her for her services. Back in Edward's suite, Vivian gets upset with Edward for exposing her in that way. He apologizes, admitting that he was jealous of Vivian talking to David and acknowledging that her directness
2340-457: Is an indoor or semi-outdoor variant with similar rules, and is played with three riders per team. The playing field is smaller, enclosed and usually of compacted sand or fine aggregate , and often indoors. Arena polo has more maneuvering due to space limitations, and uses an air-inflated ball slightly larger than the hard solid ball used in field polo. Standard mallets are used, though slightly larger-head arena mallets are an option. The game
2457-463: Is arena polo; in the United Kingdom, collegiate polo is both. Some of the most important arena polo tournaments held are: All tournaments and levels of play and players are organized within and between polo clubs, including membership, rules, safety, fields and arenas. The rules of polo are written to include the safety of both players and horses. Games are monitored by umpires. A whistle
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#17327759910652574-441: Is blown when an infraction occurs, and penalties are awarded. Strategic plays in polo are based on the "line of the ball", an imaginary line that extends through the ball in the line of travel. This line traces the ball's path and extends past the ball along that trajectory. The line of the ball defines rules for players to approach the ball safely. The "line of the ball" changes each time the ball changes direction. The player who hits
2691-536: Is closer to tragicomedy ." It was not until the development of the literary tradition of romantic love in the western European medieval period, though, that "romance" came to refer to "romantic love" situations. They were previously referred to as the heroic adventures of medieval Romance . Those adventures traditionally focused on a knight's feats on behalf of a lady, so the modern themes of love were quickly woven into them, as in Chrétien de Troyes 's Lancelot,
2808-503: Is confronted by a drug dealer, Carlos, then rescued by Edward when the limo driver Darryl gets his gun out. Though inspired by such films as Wall Street and The Last Detail , the film bears a resemblance to Pygmalion myths : particularly George Bernard Shaw 's play of the same name , which also formed the basis for the Broadway musical My Fair Lady . It was Walt Disney Studios then-president Jeffrey Katzenberg who insisted
2925-548: Is having a positive effect on him. Edward takes Vivian by private jet to see La traviata at the San Francisco Opera , a story about a prostitute who falls in love with a wealthy man. She is moved, and she breaks her "no kissing" rule before having sex with him. Believing Edward has fallen asleep, Vivian says she loves him. As the week is almost finished, Edward offers to get Vivian a condominium and an allowance, promising to visit her regularly. However, Vivian
3042-502: Is hired to be Edward's escort for several business and social functions, and their relationship develops during her week-long stay with him. The film's title Pretty Woman is based on the 1964 song " Oh, Pretty Woman " by Roy Orbison . The original screenplay was titled "3,000," and was written by then-struggling screenwriter J. F. Lawton. Originally intended to be a dark cautionary tale about class and sex work in Los Angeles ,
3159-587: Is located on Club Road in the heart of Silchar city in Assam. In 1862, the oldest polo club still in existence, Calcutta Polo Club , was established by two British soldiers, Sherer and Captain Robert Stewart. Later they spread the game to their peers in England. Polo was first played in England by the 10th Hussars in 1869. The British are credited with spreading polo worldwide in the late 19th century and
3276-813: Is offended, feeling he is now treating her like a prostitute. She shares her childhood fantasy of being rescued by a knight on a white steed. Edward meets with Morse but, influenced by Vivian, chooses to work with him to save his company instead of dismantling it. Meanwhile Philip, furious that Edward's new direction has cost him a fortune, goes to the Beverly Wilshire to confront him. However, he finds Vivian. So, blaming her for Edward's changes and angry at his business decision, Philip hits her and attempts to rape her. Edward arrives, pulls Philip off of Vivian, punches and fires him. After completing his business in Los Angeles , Edward asks Vivian to stay with him for one more night, but only if she wants to, not because he
3393-611: Is originally invented by Iranians and its Persian name is " Chovgan " ( čowgān ). The game's English name derives from the Balti language , from its word for 'ball', polo . It is cognate with the Standard Tibetan pulu , also meaning 'ball'. Many scholars suggest it most likely began as a simple game played by the Iranian people . An archaic variation of polo, regionally referred to as buzkashi or kokpar ,
3510-441: Is paying her. She gently refuses and leaves after telling him she thinks he has "lots of special gifts." Vivian returns to her apartment hotel to pack for her move to San Francisco to get a new job and finish her high school degree. She gives her roommate, fellow prostitute Kit De Luca, some money and tells her she has "a lot of potential." Kit leaves sex work and enrolls in beauty classes . Vivian then waits in her apartment for
3627-444: Is repeated is the end of " Dammi tu forza! " ("Give me strength!"), from the opera. Roberts sings the song " Kiss " by Prince while she is in the tub and Gere's character is on the phone. Background music is composed by James Newton Howard . The piano piece Gere's character plays in the hotel lobby was composed and performed by Gere. Entitled "He Sleeps/Love Theme," this piano composition is inspired by Bruce Springsteen 's " Racing in
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3744-530: Is still played in parts of Central Asia. It was developed and formalised in Ancient Iran ( Persia ) as " chovgan " ( čowgān ), becoming a national sport played extensively by the nobility. Women played as well as men. During the period of the Parthian Empire (247 BC to AD 224), the sport had great patronage under the kings and noblemen. According to The Oxford Dictionary of Late Antiquity ,
3861-415: Is that two characters meet , part ways due to an argument or other obstacle, then ultimately, realize their love for one another and reunite. Sometimes the two leads meet and become involved initially, then must confront challenges to their union. Sometimes they are hesitant to become romantically involved because they believe they do not like each other. This could be because one of the characters already has
3978-426: Is traditionally played with seven players to a side. The players are mounted on the indigenous Manipuri Pony , which stands less than 13 hands (52 inches, 132 cm). There are no goal posts, and a player scores simply by hitting the ball out of either end of the field. Players strike the ball with the long side of the mallet head, not the end. Players are not permitted to carry the ball, although blocking
4095-460: The manung kangjei bung ( lit. ' inner polo ground ' ). Public games were held, as they still are today, at the mapan kangjei bung ( lit. ' outer polo ground ' ), a polo ground just outside the Kangla. Weekly games called hapta kangjei ( lit. ' weekly polo ' ) were also played in a polo ground outside the current palace. The oldest polo ground in
4212-583: The Chicago Sun-Times gave a positive review, praising how the film is about "a particularly romantic kind of love, the sort you hardly see in the movies these days". He added it "protects its fragile love story in the midst of cynicism and compromise. The performances are critical for that purpose. Gere plays new notes here; his swagger is gone, and he's more tentative, proper, even shy. Roberts does an interesting thing; she gives her character an irrepressibly bouncy sense of humor and then lets her spend
4329-498: The 1st century AD , as an equestrian game played by the Iranian . In Persia , where the sport evolved and developed, it was at first a training game for cavalry units, usually the royal guard or other elite troops. It is now popular around the world, with well over 100 member countries in the Federation of International Polo , played professionally in 16 countries, and was an Olympic sport from 1900 to 1936. Arena polo
4446-591: The BAFTA Award for Best Film and the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy . One night, leaving a business party in the Hollywood Hills , Edward takes his lawyer Philip's Lotus Esprit and finds himself in the red-light district on Hollywood Boulevard . There he meets an absolutely beautiful but struggling prostitute Vivian Ward. Lost and struggling to operate
4563-620: The Jerome Park Racetrack in Westchester County (now Bronx County ) was the site of the "first" American outdoor polo match. H. L. Herbert, James Gordon Bennett and August Belmont Jr. financed the original New York Polo Grounds . Herbert stated in a 1913 article that they formed the Westchester Club after the "first" outdoor game was played on 13 May 1876. This contradicts the historical record of
4680-648: The Middle Ages . The game also spread south to Arabia and to India and Tibet. Abbasid Baghdad had a large polo ground outside its walls, and one of the city's early 13th century gates, the Bab al Halba, was named after these nearby polo grounds. The game continued to be supported by Mongol rulers of Persia in the 13th century, as well as under the Safavid dynasty. In the 17th century, Naqsh-i Jahan Square in Isfahan
4797-518: The film ends on a happy note . Even though it is implied that they live happily ever after, it does not always state what that happy ending will be. The couple does not necessarily get married for it to be a "happily ever after". The conclusion of a romantic comedy is meant to affirm the primary importance of the love relationship in the protagonists' lives, even if they physically separate in the end (e.g., Shakespeare in Love , Roman Holiday ). Most of
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4914-697: The stick-shift , Vivian offers to drive Edward to the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel . Impulsively, he hires her for the whole night and, despite initial awkwardness, finds her charming and they have sex in his penthouse suite. The following day, Edward asks Vivian to stay for the week, as he must attend a series of business events while attempting to acquire Jim Morse's shipbuilding company. After negotiating, Edward and Vivian agree on $ 3,000. He also gives her money to buy appropriate clothes. However, when trying to shop on Rodeo Drive , snobbish and rude saleswomen turn Vivian away. She asks
5031-417: The withers , and weigh 900 to 1,100 pounds (410 to 500 kg). The polo pony is selected carefully for quick bursts of speed, stamina, agility and manoeuvrability. Temperament is critical; the horse must remain responsive under pressure and not become excited or difficult to control. Many are Thoroughbreds or Thoroughbred crosses. They are trained to be handled with one hand on the reins , and to respond to
5148-618: The 16th centuries. Qutubuddin Aibak ( r. 1206–1210 ), originally a Turkic slave who later founded the Mamluk dynasty (1206–1290) Delhi Sultanate , was accidentally killed during a game of polo when his horse fell and he was impaled on the pommel of his saddle. Polo likely travelled via the Silk Road to China where it was popular in the Tang dynasty capital of Chang'an , where it
5265-535: The Argentine pampas started practising polo during their free time, and eventually some of them began to put together games. Among them, David Shennan is credited with having organised the first formal polo game of the country in 1875, at Estancia El Negrete, located in Buenos Aires Province . The sport spread quickly among the skillful gauchos , and several clubs opened in the following years in
5382-556: The Knight of the Cart . The contemporary romantic comedy genre was shaped by 18th-century Restoration comedy and 19th-century romantic melodrama . Restoration comedies were typically comedies of manners that relied on knowledge of the complex social rules of high society, particularly related to navigating the marriage-market, an inherent feature of the plot in many of these plays, such as William Wycherley 's The Country Wife . While
5499-583: The Persian ball game was an important pastime in the court of the Sasanian Empire (224–651). It was also part of the royal education for the Sasanian ruling class. Emperor Shapur II learnt to play polo at age seven in 316 AD. Valuable for training cavalry, the game was played from Constantinople , where Emperor Theodosius II constructed a polo ground early in the 5th century, to Japan by
5616-653: The Street ." A stage musical adaptation of the film opened on Broadway on July 20, 2018, in previews, officially on August 16 at the Nederlander Theatre . This follows an out-of-town tryout at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago, which ran from March 13 to April 15, 2018. The musical has music and lyrics by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance ; the late Garry Marshall and J. F. Lawton wrote
5733-569: The United States, and most major polo clubs, including the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club , have active arena programmes. The major differences between the outdoor and indoor games are: speed (outdoor being faster), physicality/roughness (indoor/arena is more physical), ball size (indoor is larger), goal size (because the arena is smaller the goal is smaller), and some penalties. In the United States and Canada, collegiate polo
5850-470: The ability to play until they are 18 to 20 years of age. Each player must have more than one horse, to allow for tired mounts to be replaced by fresh ones between or even during chukkas. A player's "string" of polo ponies may number two or three in Low Goal matches (with ponies being rested for at least a chukka before reuse), four or more for Medium Goal matches (at least one per chukka), and even more for
5967-401: The ball generally has the right of way, and other players cannot cross the line of the ball in front of that player. As players approach the ball, they ride on either side of the line of the ball giving each access to the ball. A player can cross the line of the ball when it does not create a dangerous situation. Most infractions and penalties are related to players improperly crossing the line of
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#17327759910656084-487: The ball or the right of way. When a player has the line of the ball on their right, they have the right of way. A "ride-off" is when a player moves another player off the line of the ball by making shoulder-to-shoulder contact with the other players' horses. The mounts used are called 'polo ponies', although the term pony is purely traditional and the mount is actually a full-sized horse. They range from 14.2 to 16 hands (58 to 64 inches, 147 to 163 cm) high at
6201-472: The ball or to take them out of a play. It must be executed properly so that it does not endanger the horses or the players. The angle of contact must be safe and can not knock the horses off balance, or harm the horses in any way. Two players following the line of the ball and riding one another off have the right of way over a single man coming from any direction. Like in hockey , ice hockey, or basketball , fouls are potentially dangerous plays that infringe on
6318-495: The ball safely. The "line of the ball" changes each time the ball changes direction. The player who hits the ball generally has the right of way, and other players cannot cross the line of the ball in front of that player. As players approach the ball, they ride on either side of the line of the ball giving each access to the ball. A player can cross the line of the ball when it does not create a dangerous situation. Most infractions and penalties are related to players improperly crossing
6435-427: The ball with any part of the body except the open hand is permitted. The sticks are made of cane , and the balls are made from the roots of bamboo . Players protected their legs by attaching leather shields to their saddles and girths . In Manipur, the game was played even by commoners who owned a pony. The kings of Manipur had a royal polo ground within the ramparts of their Kangla Fort . Here they played on
6552-501: The book; and Jerry Mitchell is the director and choreographer. The Chicago and Broadway cast featured Samantha Barks , in her Broadway debut as Vivian and Steve Kazee as Edward. Barks finished her run as Vivian on July 21, 2019, and was replaced by Jillian Mueller the following evening, with Brennin Hunt, of Rent fame, assuming the role of Edward. Orfeh portrayed Kit, and Jason Danieley played Philip Stuckey. Eric Anderson portrayed
6669-729: The bumbling George Costanza in Seinfeld , was cast as Philip Stuckey. A VHS copy of Pretty Woman would appear in Seinfeld's apartment in later seasons of Seinfeld as a homage to Alexander's participation in the film. The film's budget was substantial, at $ 14 million, so producers could shoot in many locations. Most filming took place in Los Angeles, California , specifically in Beverly Hills , and inside soundstages at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank . The escargot scene at
6786-467: The bus to Disneyland. Producer Laura Ziskin considered these elements detrimental to a sympathetic portrayal of Vivian, and they were removed or assigned to Kit. The deleted scenes have been found, and some were included on the DVD released for the film's 15th anniversary. In one, Vivian tells Edward, "I could just pop ya good and be on my way," indicating her lack of interest in " pillow talk ." In another, she
6903-414: The bus. Vivian's rejection prompts Edward to re-evaluate his life, so he reroutes the chauffeur to her apartment instead of the airport. He climbs out of the white limousine's sunroof and ascends the fire escape to 'rescue' Vivian, just like the knight in her childhood fantasy. When he asks her what happens after the knight rescues her, she responds "She rescues him right back", and kisses him. As per
7020-592: The center of the polo world. Every major polo tournament in the world is filled with players and horses hailing from Argentina. James Gordon Bennett Jr. on 16 May 1876 organised what was billed as the first polo match in the United States at Dickel's Riding Academy at 39th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City. The historical record states that James Gordon Bennett established the Westchester Polo Club on 6 May 1876, and on 13 May 1876,
7137-547: The club being established before the Jerome Park game. There is ample evidence that the first to play polo in America were actually the English Texans. The Galveston News reported on 2 May 1876 that Denison, Texas had a polo club which was before James Gordon Bennett established his Westchester Club or attempted to play the "first" game. The Denison team sent a letter to James Gordon Bennett challenging him to
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#17327759910657254-717: The decades. We can see this through the screwball comedy in response to the censorship of the Hays Code in the 1920s–1930s, the career woman comedy (such as George Stevens' Woman of the Year , starring Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy ) post-WWII, and the sex comedy made popular by Rock Hudson and Doris Day in the 1950s–1960s. Over the years, romantic comedies have slowly been becoming more popular to both men and women. They have begun to spread out of their conventional and traditional structure into other territory, and to explore more complex topics. These films still follow
7371-409: The dinner does not go well as they are unhappy with Edward's plan to dismantle their company. Edward opens up to the transformed Vivian. He reveals details about his personal and business life, including his estranged relationship with his late father Carter. Edward takes Vivian along as his date to a polo match. When Philip sees Vivian talking to David Morse, he tells Edward his suspicions that she
7488-493: The early 20th century at the height of its empire . Military officers imported the game to Britain in the 1860s. The establishment of polo clubs throughout England and western Europe followed after the formal codification of rules. The 10th Hussars at Aldershot , Hants, introduced polo to England in 1834. The game's governing body in the United Kingdom is the Hurlingham Polo Association , which drew up
7605-457: The fact that polo was played in Boerne before James Gordon Bennett Jr. ever picked up a polo mallet. During the early part of the 20th century, under the leadership of Harry Payne Whitney , polo changed to become a high-speed sport in the United States, differing from the game in England, where it involved short passes to move the ball towards the opposition's goal. Whitney and his teammates used
7722-468: The fact that these films are still romantic comedies. One of the conventions of romantic comedy films is the entertainment factor in a contrived encounter of two potential romantic partners in unusual or comic circumstances, which film critics such as Roger Ebert or the Associated Press's Christy Lemire have called a " meet-cute " situation. During a "meet-cute", scriptwriters often create
7839-504: The fast break, sending long passes downfield to riders who had broken away from the pack at a full gallop. In 1909 a United States team defeated an English team with ease. In the late 1950s, champion polo player and Director of the Long Island Polo Association, Walter Scanlon, introduced the "short form", or "European" style, four period match, to the game of polo. The rules of polo are written to include
7956-522: The film be re-written as a modern-day fairy tale and love story, as opposed to the original dark drama. It was pitched to Touchstone Pictures and re-written as a romantic comedy. The title 3000 was changed because Disney executives thought it sounded like a title for a science fiction film. The casting of the film was a rather lengthy process. Marshall had initially considered Christopher Reeve , Daniel Day-Lewis , Kevin Kline , and Denzel Washington for
8073-435: The film sugarcoats the realities of sex work . Gary Giddins wrote, "In the insidious Pretty Woman , all women who aren't explicitly identified as tramps are gold-digging wives or snooty shopkeepers. It's the kind of working-class fantasy that wants the men in the audience to identify with a ruthless corporate pirate (Richard Gere) and the woman to identify with a simple but grandhearted streetwalker (Julia Roberts), who, given
8190-503: The film was at number one at the US box office , grossing $ 11,280,591 and averaging $ 8,513 per theater. Despite dropping to number two in its second weekend, it grossed more with $ 12,471,670 . It returned to number one at the US box office in its sixth weekend and was number one for three weeks. It was in the Top 10 movies in the US for 16 weeks. In Australia, it was number one for 12 weeks and
8307-574: The film was re-conceived as a romantic comedy with a large budget. Pretty Woman received mixed reviews from critics upon release, but widespread praise was directed towards Roberts' performance and her chemistry with Gere. It saw the highest number of ticket sales in the US ever for a romantic comedy, with Box Office Mojo listing it as the number-one romantic comedy by the highest estimated domestic tickets sold at 42,176,400, slightly ahead of My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) at 41,419,500 tickets. The film grossed US$ 463.4 million worldwide and at
8424-431: The film's "tough-hooker heroine, it can work as a feminist version of an upscale princess fantasy." He also said it "pretends to be about how love transcends money," but "is really obsessed with status symbols." On the film's twentieth anniversary, Gleiberman wrote another article addressing his original review, saying that while he felt some of his criticisms were valid, he would have given it a "B" today. Roger Ebert of
8541-455: The first set of formal British rules in 1874, many of which are still in existence. This version of polo played in the 19th century was different from the faster form that was played in Manipur. The game was slow and methodical, with little passing between players and few set plays that required specific movements by participants without the ball. Neither players nor horses were trained to play
8658-436: The follies and misunderstandings of young lovers, in a light‐hearted and happily concluded manner which usually avoids serious satire". This reference states that the "best‐known examples are Shakespeare's comedies of the late 1590s, A Midsummer Night's Dream , Twelfth Night , and As You Like It being the most purely romantic, while Much Ado About Nothing approaches the comedy of manners and The Merchant of Venice
8775-517: The game's Tibetic names, polo or pulu , referring to the wooden ball, and it was these terms, anglicised, which were adopted for the sport's name in its slow spread to the west. A European polo club was established in the town of Silchar in Assam , India, in 1859, the English tea planters having learnt it from Manipuri incomers. Sagol kangjei was one of three forms of hockey in Manipur,
8892-735: The gender role that society has imposed upon them, as seen in Forgetting Sarah Marshall , in which the male protagonist is especially in touch with his emotions. It can also be seen in Made of Honor , in which the female bridesmaids are shown in a negative and somewhat masculine light in order to advance the likability of the male lead. Other remakes of romantic comedies involve similar elements, but they explore more adult themes such as marriage, responsibility, or even disability. Two films by Judd Apatow , This Is 40 and Knocked Up , deal with these issues. This Is 40 chronicles
9009-402: The historical records of Manipur. Later, according to Cheitharol Kumbaba , a royal chronicle of King Kangba, who ruled Manipur much earlier than Nongda Lairen Pakhangba (33 CE ) introduced sagol kangjei ( 'kangjei on horseback'). Further regular playing of this game commenced in 1605, during the reign of King Khagemba under newly framed rules of the game. In Manipur, polo
9126-401: The hotel manager Barney for assistance. He gets upscale store saleslady Bridget, who is very kind, to find her a cocktail dress for that evening's business dinner. Later, Barney teaches her table etiquette. Edward is astounded by Vivian’s transformation. At dinner, he introduces Vivian to Morse and his grandson David, who is to take over the company. The Morses are charmed by her, but ultimately
9243-404: The lid of a jewelry case on her fingers was improvised, and her surprised laugh was genuine. The red dress Vivian wears to the opera has been listed among the most unforgettable dresses of all time. During the scene in which Roberts sang a Prince song in the bathtub, slid down, and submerged her head under the bubbles; she emerged to find the crew had left except for the cameraman, who captured
9360-403: The line of the ball or the right of way. When a player has the line of the ball on their right, they have the right of way. A "ride-off" is when a player moves another player off the line of the ball by making shoulder-to-shoulder contact with the other players' horses. The defending player has a variety of opportunities for their team to gain possession of the ball. They can push the opponent off
9477-440: The line or steal the ball from the opponent. Another common defensive play is called "hooking." While a player is taking a swing at the ball, their opponent can block the swing by using their mallet to hook the mallet of the player swinging at the ball. A player may hook only if they are on the side where the swing is being made or directly behind an opponent. A player may not purposely touch another player, another player's tack , or
9594-512: The melodramas of the Romantic period had little to do with comedy, they were hybrids incorporating elements of domestic and sentimental tragedies, pantomime "with an emphasis on gesture, on the body, and the thrill of the chase," and other genres of expression such as songs and folk tales. In the 20th century, as Hollywood grew, the romantic comedy in America mirrored other aspects of society in its rapid changes, developing many sub-genres through
9711-429: The mid-life crisis of a couple entering their 40s, and Knocked Up addresses unintended pregnancy and the ensuing assuming of responsibility. Silver Linings Playbook deals with mental illness and the courage to start a new relationship. All of these go against the stereotype of what romantic comedy has become as a genre. Yet, the genre of romantic comedy is simply a structure, and all of these elements do not negate
9828-430: The moment on film. In the love scene, she was so stressed that a vein became noticeable on her forehead and had to be massaged by Marshall and Gere. She also developed a case of hives , and calamine lotion was used to soothe her skin until filming resumed. Shelley Michelle acted as body double for Roberts in risqué scenes and the film's publicity poster. Filming wrapped on October 18, 1989. In its opening weekend,
9945-415: The movie "wasn't a love story, it was a money story. Its logic depended on a disconnect between character and narrative, between image and meaning, between money and value, and that made it not cluelessly traditional but thoroughly postmodern." In a 2019 interview, Roberts expressed uncertainty over whether the film could be made today due to its controversial premise, commenting, "So many things you could poke
10062-483: The movie trying to repress it. Actresses who can do that and look great can have whatever they want in Hollywood." The New York Times ' Janet Maslin wrote: "Despite this quintessentially late 80's outlook, and despite a covetousness and underlying misogyny that bring Mr. Marshall's earlier ' Overboard ' to mind, 'Pretty Woman' manages to be giddy, lighthearted escapism much of the time. Ms. Roberts, as noted,
10179-1491: The nation's Olympic history. The title was defended at the 1936 Berlin Games with players Manuel Andrada , Andrés Gazzotti , Roberto Cavanagh , Luis Duggan , Juan Nelson, Diego Cavanagh , and Enrique Alberdi. The game spread across the country, and Argentina is often credited as the capital of polo; Argentina is also noted for having the largest contingent of 10 handicap players out of any other country. Five teams were able to gather four 10 handicap players each, to make 40 handicap teams: Coronel Suárez , 1975, 1977–1979 (Alberto Heguy, Juan Carlos Harriott Jr. , Alfredo Harriot and Horacio Heguy); La Espadaña, 1989–1990 (Carlos Gracida, Gonzalo Pieres, Alfonso Pieres y Ernesto Trotz Jr.); Indios Chapaleufú , 1992–1993 (Bautista Heguy, Gonzalo Heguy, Horacio Heguy Jr. and Marcos Heguy); La Dolfina , 2009–2010 ( Adolfo Cambiaso Jr., Lucas Monteverde , Mariano Aguerre y Bartolomé Castagnola ); Ellerstina, 2009 ( Facundo Pieres , Gonzalo Pieres Jr. , Pablo Mac Donough and Juan Martín Nero). The three major polo tournaments in Argentina, known as "Triple Corona" ("Triple Crown"), are Hurlingham Polo Open , Tortugas Polo Open and Palermo Polo Open . Polo season usually lasts from October to December. High season vs. Low season Argentina Polo School in Mar del Plata reflects
10296-522: The opening credits The film was initially conceived as a dark drama about prostitution in Los Angeles in the 1980s. The relationship between Vivian and Edward also originally included Vivian being addicted to drugs ; part of the deal was that she had to stay off cocaine for a week. Edward eventually throws her out of his car and drives off. The original script by J. F. Lawton, called 3000 , ended with Vivian and her prostitute friend on
10413-523: The other ones being field hockey (called khong kangjei ) and wrestling-hockey (called mukna kangjei ). Local rituals such as those connected to the Ibudhou Marjing , the winged-pony god of polo and the creation-ritual episodes of the Lai Haraoba festival enacting the life of his son, Khoriphaba , the polo-playing god of sports. These may indicate an origin earlier than
10530-436: The other person. Then, one character makes some extravagant effort (sometimes called a grand gesture ) to find the other character and declare their love. However, this is not always the case; sometimes, there is a coincidental encounter where the two characters meet again. Alternatively, one character plans a romantic gesture to show that they still care. Then, with some comic friction, they declare their love for each other, and
10647-528: The other zombies and even starts to cure them. With the zombie cure, the two main characters can now be together since they do not have a barrier between them anymore. Another strange set of circumstances is in Zack and Miri Make a Porno where the two protagonists are building a relationship while trying to make a pornographic film together. Both these films take the typical story arc and then add strange circumstances to add originality. Other romantic comedies flip
10764-474: The placement value and supplied a Silver 1989 + 1 ⁄ 2 Esprit SE (which was later sold). Filming was a generally pleasant, easygoing experience, as the budget was broad and the shooting schedule was not tight. While shooting the scene where Vivian is lying down on the floor of Edward's penthouse, watching reruns of I Love Lucy , Garry Marshall had to tickle Roberts' feet (out of camera range) to get her to laugh. The scene in which Gere playfully snaps
10881-412: The potential couple comprises polar opposites, two people of different temperaments, situations, social statuses, or all three ( It Happened One Night ), who would not meet or talk under normal circumstances, and the meet cute's contrived situation provides the opportunity for these two people to meet. Polo Polo or Chovgan ( Persian : چوگان) is a ball game that is played on horseback ,
10998-478: The record for 34 years until Marvel Studios ' Deadpool & Wolverine surpassed it in 2024. Pretty Woman catapulted Roberts to superstardom, earning her the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical , in addition to her first nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress and the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role . The film also received nominations for
11115-567: The restaurant was shot at Rex II Ristorante, now named Cicada. Scenes set in the Beverly Wilshire Hotel lobby were shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles . Filming commenced on July 24, 1989, but was immediately plagued by problems. These included Ferrari and Porsche declining the product placement opportunity for the car Edward drove, as neither firm wished to be associated with prostitutes. Lotus Cars saw
11232-441: The rhythms of the region’s climate and tourism. The high season typically aligns with the Argentine summer, from November to March, when the weather is warm and ideal for outdoor events. During this time, polo tournaments and social gatherings attract players and enthusiasts, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Conversely, the low season falls in the cooler months, from May to September, when activities slow down, allowing fields and players
11349-515: The rider's leg and weight cues for moving forward, turning and stopping. A well trained horse will carry its rider smoothly and swiftly to the ball and can account for 60 to 75 percent of the player's skill and net worth to their team. Polo pony training generally begins at age 3 and lasts from about 6 months to 2 years. Most horses reach full physical maturity at about age 5, and ponies are at their peak of athleticism and training at around age 6 or 7. However, without any accidents, polo ponies may have
11466-637: The role of Edward, and Albert Brooks , Sylvester Stallone , Christopher Lambert , Al Pacino and Burt Reynolds turned it down. Pacino went as far as doing a casting reading with Roberts before rejecting the part. Sam Neill , Tom Conti and Charles Grodin tested for the part along with Roberts. Gere initially refused but when he met with Roberts, she persuaded him and he eventually agreed to play Lewis. He reportedly started off much more active in his role; but Garry Marshall took him aside and said "No, no, no, Richard. In this movie, one of you moves and one of you does not. Guess which one you are?" Julia Roberts
11583-453: The role of Mr. Thompson and Kingsley Leggs played the role of James Morse. The UK and Ireland stage musical tour commenced in the fall of 2023. The show opened in Bristol with cast members, Amber Davies as Vivian, Oliver Savile as Edward. Ore Oduba played Mr Thompson. The run is scheduled to continue through most of 2024. Romantic comedy The basic plot of a romantic comedy
11700-500: The rules of the game. To the novice spectator, fouls may be difficult to discern. There are degrees of dangerous and unfair play and penalty shots are awarded depending based on the severity of the foul and where the foul was committed on the polo field. White lines on the polo field indicate where the mid-field, sixty, forty, and thirty yard penalties are taken. The official set of rules and rules interpretations are reviewed and published annually by each country's polo association. Most of
11817-416: The safety of both players and horses. Games are monitored by umpires. A whistle is blown when an infraction occurs, and penalties are awarded. Strategic plays in polo are based on the "line of the ball", an imaginary line that extends through the ball in the line of travel. This line traces the ball's path and extends past the ball along that trajectory. The line of the ball defines rules for players to approach
11934-534: The smaller associations follow the rules of the Hurlingham Polo Association , the national governing body of the sport of polo in the United Kingdom, and the United States Polo Association . Outdoor or field polo lasts about one and a half to two hours and consists of four to eight seven-minute chukkas, between or during which players change mounts. At the end of each seven-minute chukka, play continues for an additional 30 seconds or until
12051-469: The standard conventions of the romantic comedy genre. In films like 500 Days of Summer , the two main interests do not end up together, leaving the protagonist somewhat distraught. Other films, like Adam, have the two main interests end up separated but still content and pursuing other goals and love interests. Some romantic comedies use reversal of gender roles to add comedic effect. These films contain characters who possess qualities that diverge from
12168-401: The suits on the Mamluk precursor to modern-day playing cards . Europeans transformed the polo stick suit into the "clubs" of the "Latin" decks , as polo was little known to them at that time. The game spread to South Asia where it has had a strong presence in the northwestern areas of present-day Pakistan (including Gilgit , Chitral , Hunza , and Baltistan ) since at least the 15th to
12285-548: The time of its release, was the fifth-highest-grossing film of all time worldwide , behind only E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial ( $ 701 million at the time), Star Wars ($ 530 million at the time), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade ( $ 474 million at the time), and Jaws ($ 470 million at the time). It was also the highest grossing R-rated film released by Walt Disney Studios , holding
12402-401: The time the ending gives the audience a sense that if it is true love, it will always prevail, no matter what the two characters have to overcome. Comedies, rooted in the fertility rites and satyr plays of ancient Greece , have often incorporated sexual or social elements. The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms defines romantic comedy as "a general term for comedies that deal mainly with
12519-530: The towns of Venado Tuerto , Cañada de Gómez , Quilmes , Flores and later (1888) Hurlingham . In 1892 The River Plate Polo Association was founded and constituted the basis for the current Asociación Argentina de Polo . In the Olympic Games held in Paris in 1924 a team composed of Juan Miles , Enrique Padilla , Juan Nelson , Arturo Kenny , G. Brooke Naylor and A. Peña achieved the first gold medal in
12636-468: The typical plot of "a light and humorous movie, play, etc., whose central plot is a happy love story" but with more complexity. Some romantic comedies have adopted special circumstances for the main characters, as in Warm Bodies where the protagonist is a zombie who falls in love with a human girl after eating her boyfriend. The effect of their love towards each other is that it starts spreading to
12753-710: The world is the Imphal Polo Ground in Manipur State . The history of this polo ground is contained in the royal chronicle Cheitharol Kumbaba starting from 33 CE . Lieutenant (later Major General) Joseph Ford Sherer, the father of modern polo, visited the state and played on this polo ground in the 1850s. Lord Curzon , the Viceroy of India visited the state in 1901 and measured the polo ground as "225 yards long and 110 yards wide" (206 m × 101 m). The Cachar Club , established in 1859,
12870-555: The yet-to-be-released Steel Magnolias (1989), for which she would be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress , won the role of Vivian. Her performance made her a star. J. F. Lawton, writer of the original screenplay, has suggested that the film was ultimately given a happy ending because of the chemistry of Gere and Roberts. Veteran actor Ralph Bellamy , who plays James Morse, appears in his final acting performance before his death in 1991. Jason Alexander , who had also recently been cast for his role as
12987-471: Was number one for nine consecutive weeks in the UK. As of September 29, 2009, it has grossed $ 178,406,268 in the United States and $ 285,000,000 in other countries for a total worldwide gross of US$ 463,406,268 . It was the fourth highest-grossing film of the year in the United States and Canada and the third highest-grossing worldwide. The film was Disney 's highest-grossing film ever, surpassing Three Men and
13104-412: Was "degrading to women." Valeria Golino was in consideration, but was not selected because of her thick Italian accent, and Jennifer Jason Leigh had auditioned. Lea Thompson unsuccessfully auditioned for the role as she thought the film was a drama. When all the other actresses turned down the role, 21-year-old Julia Roberts , a relative unknown, with only the sleeper hit Mystic Pizza (1988) and
13221-635: Was built as a polo field by King Abbas I . The game was also learnt by the neighbouring Byzantine Empire at an early date. A tzykanisterion (stadium for playing tzykanion , the Byzantine name for polo) was built by Emperor Theodosius II ( r. 408–450 ) inside the Great Palace of Constantinople . Emperor Basil I ( r. 867–886 ) excelled at it; Emperor Alexander ( r. 912–913 ) died from exhaustion while playing Polo. John I of Trebizond ( r. 1235–1238 ) died from
13338-546: Was made smaller and accommodated a large audience. The first event of the World Champions Polo League took place in Bhavnagar , Gujarat, with six teams and room for 10,000 spectators. The rules were changed and the duration of matches made shorter. Polo was brought to many parts of the Americas, but in Argentina, it took off like nowhere else. Irish , Scottish , Welsh , and English immigrants in
13455-408: Was not the first choice for the role of Vivian, and was not wanted by Disney. Many other actresses were considered. Marshall originally envisioned Karen Allen for the role; when she declined, auditions went to many better-known actresses of the time including Molly Ringwald , who turned it down as she didn't like the story as she felt "there was something icky about it". Winona Ryder auditioned, but
13572-514: Was played by women, who had to wear a male dress to do so; many Tang dynasty tomb figures of female players survive. According to The Oxford Dictionary of Late Antiquity , the popularity of polo in Tang China was "bolstered, no doubt, by the presence of the Sasanian court in exile". A "polo-obsessed" noblewoman was buried with her donkeys on 6 October 878 in Xi’an , China. In use in Manipur were
13689-488: Was turned down because Marshall felt she was "too young." Jennifer Connelly was also dismissed for the same reason. Emily Lloyd turned it down as it conflicted with her shooting for the film Mermaids . Drew Barrymore , Patricia Arquette , Brooke Shields , Uma Thurman , and Kristin Davis also auditioned for the role of Vivian. Meg Ryan , who was the studio and Marshall's top choice, turned it down as well. According to
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