cewephobia_romeo
This drama has its potential, but somehow it failed me. There's no actual plot or whatsoever, you'll know how the movie ends just by watching the first 10-15 minutes. The characters did an amazing job(actually), but the directing is just so bad it's bothering. You feel like you watch a stage opera, not a movie. It feels like they're trying to remember the lines and all. Except for Brooke, there are no other character worth mentioning. I won't talk about part that make this movie a controversial one, I just want to state that it could be better. Definitely an experience if you had been into this genre. Must have, but no really replay value. 6/10
tavm
This was another grown-up movie I read about as a child and was curious about that I finally got to see. Since this was the one where then 12-year-old Brooke Shields played a girl raised in a brothel where her mom Susan Sarandon worked, I wondered how I'd react to some scenes where Ms. Shields was about to be deflowered by a middle-aged man or some of her nude scenes. While I did occasionally pause at some points before anticipating such sequences, I was only mildly surprised at what was depicted or implied as director Louis Malle handled such material with great restraint. Besides the two players I mentioned, Keith Carradine also should be commended for portraying the house photographer Bellocq as someone who gets very concerned whenever Shields in particular gets treated badly yet can't always control his emotions when she misbehaves. I also liked Antonio Fargas' performance as the house piano man. All those I've just mentioned, as well as the rest of the cast and crew, should be commended for the way they depicted what it must have been like in 1917 in the Storyville section of New Orleans, Louisiana, during that time when the U.S. had just entered the first World War and the morality police were about to close places like the one depicted here. Certainly, since I live about a two-hour drive from where this all took place and was filmed in, it raised my awareness of what things were like there in the early 20th century and makes me want to learn more about it. Anyway, Pretty Baby should not be condemned as child pornography as like I said, there's no erotically explicit scenes of sex and it's not the only thing it's about anyway. And besides, Ms. Shields seems to have done all right by herself considering the subsequent films she made concerning her sexuality...
dehedra55
This movie is not child porn. Brooke Shields has always been a fine actress and still is. I can rent this movie tomorrow from at least three major outlets. This movie was never ordered pulled from store shelves as was Tracy Lords movies. That's because it is a totally artistic movie that very realistically portrays red light district life in early 20th century New Orleans. I first saw the movie on cable! As far as controversy, there are legal French films that would blow this one away.It's also a great film for Brooke fans who get to watch an amazing personality bloom into an awesome woman over her career.Here's some more words for ten line mininum because I really don't have anything more to say except that I've already said a whole bunch for just five lines and I really don't want to add any more so I think that about does it. I want to thank my producers, directors, inducers and smectors.Good night all!
motorhedmadness
Though it is based on a true story, and was accepted at the time the movie was made. By todays standards it would be considered child pornography. Possesing and or viewing it is considered illegal in most countries. I saw it when I was younger in 1979 when it came out on cable. I couldn't follow it because I was too young. It came on this morning and after viewing it, I can say the acting is not all that great and the direction of the film reminded of a student film project. Overall I was left with the impression that it was a last ditch effort by the film maker to legitimize the use of nude children in film. It is nothing short of being a really soft-core child porn film. If you must view this film take into deep consideration that your freedom may be in question because you would have to order it online or have it ordered into a store. In either case you will leave behind a trail of who you are and if enough bells and whistles go off you might receive a visit from the F B I or your local law enforcement agent. So use extreme discretion if you really want to see this film.
AD
