A Film Everyone Should See At Least Once (Pretty Baby (DVD))

Member Name: boredindunoon

Product:	Pretty Baby (DVD)
Date:	21/11/08 (72 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Powerful, Shows How Life Was.

Disadvantages: Controversial, Some Of The Acting. Rather Slow Pace.

Produced and directed by Louis Malle in the late seventies, Pretty Baby portrays the taboo subject of child prostitution in the early twentieth century (set in 1917 if I remember correctly).

The film became very controversial for obvious reasons. It shows Brooke Shields (who plays Violet) at the age of twelfth often completely naked and in a sexual role that some would say is unsuitable for a minor (while essential to the plot). The film is based mainly in a house set in the red light district of New Orleans and follows the character of E.J Bellocq ( played by Keith Carradine) a photographer who becomes involved with Violet.

There are some powerful and to be honest slightly disturbing scenes throughout the film. One that comes to mind is when they start to auction her (Violet) to a room of gentleman selling her as a virgin and referring to her as "The finest delicacy New Orleans has to offer" and selling her like a piece of meat to the highest bidder. The acting throughout the film and from most of the cast is just amazing. I did feel at times that the acting from Keith Carradine was less than believable and at times even wooden. The sets and locations have been recreated perfectly and feel right for the time period. Also the atmosphere in the whore house itself was brilliantly conveyed.

Obviously the subject of child prostitution will automatically alienate some viewers, however if you can see past the surface, then you will find that Pretty Baby is a film of humanity and beauty. It's an original one of a kind film that shows how life was and how life changed.

Personally I would have liked to have seen some special features on the DVD, as there are none on this release.The pace of the film could also have been improved on.

But all things considered I think that Pretty Baby is a film that everyone should see at least once.

(I'm a reviewer on Amazon, and some my reviews are copied from there to dooyoo. Please feel free to check out my Amazon profile under my real name of Mr Andrew M Kerr.)

Summary: Thanks For Reading.