“I would rather be loved than have money”: Richard Gere Hates His Iconic Role With Julia Roberts for a Personal Reason That Made Both Actors Hollywood Icons

Cinema has the power to sway minds, having a deep impact on the outlook of the masses. No wonder celebrities worth their salt know the importance of getting the right message across through their work. Richard Gere knows that very well. Across the eras, movies might have played an important role in shaping how people’s mind work. But more often than not characters have spouted ‘words of wisdom’ that run counter to what ideally should be.

Why Pretty Woman is a bittersweet memory for Richard Gere

Julia Roberts and Richard Gere’s life would never be the same after featuring in Pretty Woman. It was an instant hit, with the Warner Bros. movie going on to become a classic. It also propelled its protagonists to the hall of fame.

In spite of the impact the 1990 flick had on their careers, Gere is not all smiles about the movie. There was one element about the movie that the Primal Fear star couldn’t wrap his head around – how it glorified the pursuit of money. 

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Richard Gere was not okay with some of the messages in Pretty Woman

While promoting Arbitrage in 2012, Richard Gere disclosed how he couldn’t help but raise eyebrows on a controversial line in Pretty Woman. As movie buffs know, the Hachi: A Dog’s Tale star played the role of a wealthy man who is disillusioned with his life.

His character found it difficult to keep up with how relationships worked back in the day. And Gere is still disillusioned with how a lot of things were portrayed in the movie. There was one particular message that he was at odds with. 

“Don’t worry if you can’t find a partner, kid. Study hard, become a banker, and you can buy yourself one.” 

The 74-year-old star was never one to let something like this slide. 

Also Read: “Whether I do this or not, you should”: Julia Roberts Should Thank Richard Gere For Her $300 Million Worth Rom-com Movie After ‘Pretty Woman’ Fame

Richard Gere is happy that the people have begun to introspect the obsession with this mentality

Years down the line, Richard Gere would tell Australian Woman’s Day that Pretty Woman “was a silly romantic comedy”. He continued,

“In the 1980s, relationships were all about status,” he added. “I would rather be loved than have money and all that other stuff. I know now that I would rather have something that is true, something that is based on real love.” (Far Out Magazine)

Criticizing the kind of men shown in the movie directed by Garry Marshall, he said,

“It made those guys seem dashing, which was wrong. Thankfully, today, we are all more sceptical of those guys.” (Far Out Magazine)

That is why The Flock star hated a role he was absolutely loved for.

Also Read: “I ripped the pages in half”: Superman Star Christopher Reeve Felt Humiliated During ‘Pretty Woman’ Audition, “Stalked out of the room” After Insulting Director

Source: Far Out Magazine