Released on April 5, 1978, Pretty Baby is a historical drama directed by Louis Malle and written by Polly Platt . The film is set in 1917 in the Storyville
Set in 1917 , the film takes place in Storyville , the city's notorious red-light district. The story follows Violet (Shields), a young girl raised in a brothel by her prostitute mother, Hattie (played by Susan Sarandon ). The narrative centers on Violet's gradual entry into this adult world, culminating in her "marriage" to an older photographer named Bellocq (played by Keith Carradine ). Pretty Baby - 1978 - Starring Brooke Shields - ...
"Pretty Baby" received widespread critical acclaim for its bold storytelling, cinematography, and Shields' remarkable performance. The film holds a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many praising its honest portrayal of a difficult and uncomfortable subject matter. However, the film's explicit content, including nude scenes featuring Shields, sparked controversy and raised concerns about child exploitation. Released on April 5, 1978, Pretty Baby is
From the moment of its release, Pretty Baby was a battleground. Critics were sharply divided. Roger Ebert gave the film three stars, acknowledging its beauty but noting the “uneasy” feeling it provoked. Others, like Gene Siskel, were more condemning, questioning the ethics of filming a child in such scenarios. The narrative centers on Violet's gradual entry into
The film draws heavy inspiration from the real-life work of photographer , whose portraits of New Orleans prostitutes in the early 20th century provided the visual and narrative foundation for the screenplay by Polly Platt . Malle employs a "level-headed" and "non-moralizing" approach, allowing the camera to act as a witness to the daily rhythms of Madame Nell’s brothel.
Malle argued that he was exposing a historical truth. Storyville was a real place, and child prostitution was a grim reality of that era. By showing a child’s emotional numbness and survival instincts, Malle claimed he was making an anti-exploitation statement. However, the counter-argument is potent: the camera’s lingering gaze on the young Brooke Shields often mirrors the predatory gaze of the characters within the film.
The keyword "Pretty Baby - 1978 - Starring Brooke Shields" often leads to searches about how a minor was allowed to perform such roles. The answer lies in the legal loopholes of the time. Malle and producer Paramount Pictures used a body double for some of the more explicit shots (a woman in her 20s with a body double for wide shots), but the close-ups and the emotional weight of the scenes are undeniably Shields.