the luminous outset became the interminable middle

I've been a fan of the film for years, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere are just two of my favorites, especially for a certain era of their work; but only within the past years have I read any critical thought on the film. Initially it was presented to me as a take on the Cinderella tale which I can see except for Vivian doesn't have any outwardly antagonistic environment she's escaping from; I've also seen it referred to as semi Pygmalion which I could also sort of see; and now I'm thinking about how it is does reverse the trope via gender and I like it as well. My issue with the NYT piece was that it dismisses what Vivian does for Richard Gere's character--she's more emotionally aware and strong than he is and while he has a stronger economic standing, there is mutual saving going on .