Richard Gere Jokes About “Lack of Chemistry” with Julia Roberts in ‘Pretty Woman’ at Venice Film Festival

Richard Gere, celebrated for his role as Edward Lewis in the 1990 classic Pretty Woman, recently charmed audiences at the 81st Venice Film Festival with his candid reflections on the film and his career. During a masterclass held on Sunday, the 75-year-old actor shared intriguing insights into the making of the beloved movie, which paired him with Julia Roberts in one of cinema’s most iconic romantic duos.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gere captivated the audience with humor and humility, especially when discussing his on-screen chemistry with Roberts. Reflecting on a clip of the sensual piano scene between his character and Roberts’ Vivian Ward, Gere jokingly remarked, “I mean, no chemistry. This actor and this actress obviously had no chemistry between them… I haven’t seen that in a long time. That’s a sexy scene.”

The audience, who had just swooned over the famous scene, appreciated Gere’s self-deprecating humor. Despite the undeniable on-screen magic between the two stars, Gere modestly critiqued his character as “criminally underwritten,” describing Edward Lewis as “basically a suit and a good haircut.”

Gere also revealed some behind-the-scenes details that added to the charm of Pretty Woman. He shared that the memorable piano scene was largely improvised, showcasing his own musical talents. “And Garry [Marshall, the director] said to me, ‘What do you do late at night in a hotel?’ And I said, ‘Well, I’m usually jet lagged… So I’m up all night and usually there’s a ballroom somewhere or a bar, and I’ll find a piano and I’ll play the piano.’ He said: ‘Well, let’s do something with that.’ So we just basically improvised this scene, and he said, ‘Play something moody.’ I just started playing something moody that was this character’s interior life,” Gere recalled.

The masterclass also touched on other significant moments in Gere’s career. He became emotional when discussing a clip from his debut film, Days of Heaven (1978), particularly in light of his son Homer’s budding acting career. “I think I’m only a little bit older [in ‘Days of Heaven’] than him, and he’s starting his career as an actor now. And he’s really good. He’s really good,” Gere shared, his pride evident.

Despite his humorous downplaying of Pretty Woman‘s impact—calling it a “very small movie” with a “wonderful director named Garry Marshall”—the film has left an indelible mark on cinema, grossing over $460 million globally and becoming one of the highest-grossing films of its time.

The masterclass, held at Master Point Arena inside the Tennis Club Venezia on the Lido, was moderated by Stephane Lerouge, an expert in film music and curator of the collection Ecoutez le Cinema. The event was part of Cartier’s masterclass series on the Art and Craft of Cinema, which also featured sessions with Nicola Piovani and Claude Lelouch.

Gere’s reflections at the Venice Film Festival provided a delightful and heartfelt look back at a career that continues to influence and inspire, proving that even decades later, the magic of Pretty Woman and its stars endures.