Pretty Baby

It's set in 1917 New Orleans, where a twelve-year-old named Violet grows up inside a red light district, raised by her mother Hattie who earns a living as a sex worker. The film watches Violet's daily routines among prostitutes, clients, and neighborhood characters as she becomes more aware of adult behavior and the social rules that govern her environment. An itinerant photographer, Bellocq, develops a complicated relationship with Violet and other residents of the house, creating moments of warmth and awkwardness. The brothel functions as a household where affection mixes with commerce, and Violet absorbs local etiquette, humor, and danger while she watches adults around her.

Directed by Louis Malle and created with input from Polly Platt, Pretty Baby premiered in 1978, featuring Brooke Shields, Keith Carradine, Susan Sarandon and others, notably. Malle emphasized period detail and a restrained camera style that foregrounded faces and interiors.

Controversy helped drive attention, and the film drew audiences overseas and in the U.S. It earned a modest commercial return while remaining a frequent subject of censorship debates. Controversy prompted edits and delayed releases in some markets, hurting box office.

The movie provoked intense debate about child protection and artistic license because of Brooke Shields' age and the sexualized setting. Iconic images and the press storm around its release kept it in public conversation for years. Its publicity influenced debates over how films with young actors be produced and regulated.

Critics were divided, with some praising the period detail and performances while others faulted its ethics. Viewers rate it about 6.96/10 based on 398 votes. Main themes include commodification of bodies, the erosion of childhood, and complex power dynamics inside intimate economies. Susan Sarandon's performance drew particular attention from audiences.