In the arts, especially in film, a prostitute who retains her sense of innocence, naivety, kindness, purity and/or generosity in spite of her fallen state. Often has a mothering or nurturing role for a damaged male character who sees her as a source of salvation. The hooker with a heart of gold is much maligned by critics as banal, cliched and inaccurate (cf virgin-whore complex). Examples include Jamie Lee Curtis in Trading Places, Elizabeth Shue in Leaving Las Vegas, and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.