10 Heartfelt Melodramas About Prostitutes

Description: Bree Daniel, a call girl in New York, becomes involved in a detective case when a private eye, John Klute, hires her to help find a missing man. Their professional relationship turns personal, exploring themes of identity and intimacy.

Fact: Jane Fonda won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Bree. The film is often noted for its realistic portrayal of the sex industry.

Description: This iconic film tells the story of Vivian Ward, a prostitute who is hired by a wealthy businessman, Edward Lewis, to be his escort for several business and social functions. Their relationship evolves from transactional to deeply personal, exploring themes of love and class differences.

Fact: Julia Roberts was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Vivian. The film was initially conceived as a darker, more dramatic piece before being rewritten into a romantic comedy.

Description: A tale of two lost souls: Ben, an alcoholic screenwriter, and Sera, a prostitute. Their relationship, built on mutual acceptance of their vices, leads to a tragic yet profound love story.

Fact: Nicolas Cage won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Ben. The film was adapted from the semi-autobiographical novel by John O'Brien.

Description: Set in the 1920s, this film follows Kitty Fane, who marries a bacteriologist to escape her mundane life, only to find herself in a loveless marriage. Her husband's work takes them to China, where she encounters a world of poverty and disease, and her own redemption through love and sacrifice.

Fact: The film is based on W. Somerset Maugham's novel of the same name. It was shot on location in China, providing an authentic backdrop to the story.

Description: This film follows a high-end escort, Chelsea, who provides "the girlfriend experience" to her clients. As the financial crisis hits, her life intertwines with her work, blurring the lines between her professional and personal relationships.

Fact: The film was shot in just 18 days. It was one of the first feature films to be released simultaneously in theaters and on video-on-demand.

Description: Mark O'Brien, a poet paralyzed from the neck down, hires a sex surrogate, Cheryl Cohen-Greene, to help him lose his virginity. Their sessions evolve into a profound emotional connection.

Fact: The film is based on the real-life experiences of Mark O'Brien, whose essay "On Seeing a Sex Surrogate" inspired the movie. Helen Hunt received an Academy Award nomination for her role.

Description: Virgil Oldman, an eccentric art auctioneer, becomes involved with a mysterious young woman who might be a prostitute, leading him into a world of deception and self-discovery.

Fact: The film was directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, known for "Cinema Paradiso." It features a complex plot with numerous twists, keeping viewers engaged throughout.

Description: A single mother turns to prostitution to support her family, leading to a complex web of secrets and moral dilemmas. The film explores themes of economic hardship and personal choice.

Fact: Jennifer Love Hewitt stars and also served as an executive producer. The film spawned a TV series of the same name.

Description: This film tells its story in reverse chronological order, focusing on the aftermath of a brutal attack on Alex, a former prostitute, and the revenge sought by her ex-boyfriend and friend.

Fact: The film's non-linear narrative was designed to evoke different emotions from the audience as the story unfolds. It was banned or heavily censored in several countries due to its graphic content.

Description: Set in medieval Germany, this film follows Marie, who becomes a prostitute to survive after her family is killed. Her journey is one of survival, love, and eventual empowerment.

Fact: The film is based on a best-selling novel by Iny Lorentz. It was a major success in Germany, leading to a sequel.