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Portrayal of Social Conflict in America through the movie Pretty Woman The popular romantic comedy Pretty Woman, directed by Gary Marshall is a story of how members of two different social classes meet and are forced to learn about each other’s way of life. Edward, (Richard Gere) is the upper-class businessman who coincidentally meets Vivian, (Julia Roberts), a lower-class prostitute, while trying to find his way back to his hotel after a fancy gathering of co-workers and other members of his elite society. After staying with Edward for a period of time, Vivian becomes assimilated into his upper-class way of life. While Vivian is learning how to fit into the upper echelons of society, Edward also learns how life is for the lower class. Many aspects of social stratification are presented throughout the movie, such as class-consciousness and networking within groups high-brow (predominantly) white men. Similarly, the director utilizes modalities such as setting and dialogue to portray social differences between Edward and Vivian. The difference between social classes in Pretty Woman is obvious from the beginning. The immediate contrast between settings at the opening of the movie immediately let the audience know