Pretty Baby
|
Our Price: $29.91 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $21.88 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Pretty Baby
Movie Review: Clásica!
Summary: 4 Stars
No puede faltarte en la colección.
No es una película herótica si tomás en cuenta de que actua una niña de 10 años, más bien explora un sub-mundo insólito que es una terrible realidad.
Movie Review: A distinctly Gallic view of sexuality...
Summary: 3 Stars
...this movie should be remarked, as the Amazon reviewer correctly notes, also for the utterly beautiful camera-work.
And Sarandon, before her manic obsession with politics, like Alec Baldwin and others, shimmers with talent and we're treated to her full genius, something little scene (pun intended) these last ten years as "activism" has dissipated the sap that once nourished the talent in this once brilliant actress. (See this descent in her jarring overacting in "Children of Dune; marring an otherwise excellent adaptation.)
The "scandal" is highly overblown. As for the movie "being unable to be made today", that's an odd statement. Thora Birch went topless at the age of seventeen. Kirsten Dunst engaged in full mouth kiss with Brad Pitt in "Vampire", and Led Zeppelin's "Houses of Holy" with dozens of naked children on it, can still be bought even at Wal-Mart and BestBuy. I know of no prosecurtor who has brought charges of child porn against the producers of any of these films or the parents of the children. And this movie's still obviously available to everyone within the US by its mere presence on Amazon.
Even more notable is that the "scandalous" scenes haven't been cut in an "abridged" version by the supposedly craven studio(s). However, this could be due to Malle's ownership of it.
If this film really was child porn does anyone think Amazon would sell it?
Frankly, this movie's tame compared to much of garbage readily available, 24-7, thanks to the wonders of cable.
The difference? Malle's work has clear, artistic intent. The nude scenes of the sparkling beauty of Shields, those eyes even then so powerful, were necessary to the plot. Doubltess, controversy in the Anglo-Saxon world wasn't unanticipated, and certainly added to the box office; but its (obviously) enduring popularity is proven by its presence here.
As for the film itself, like all of Malle's work, it's a love-hate affair. He either hits his mark or misses to the point of (possible Anglo-Saxon) incoherence. Here he mostly hits his target, offering, in an American environment and in English, the very different French view of sexuality.
If you're looking for a readily excessible way to grasp some part of the Gallic mindset, this film may help.
Movie Review: Get it for the mood and photography
Summary: 3 Stars
It is a look into a period of history that many would pretend never happened. Imagine, politicians portrayed as purchasers of 12 year old virgins! And truth be told, there is a censored scene where Violet is tossed out, and if one has the VHS copy, it will be clear. The cloth cover is apparent on the VHS, but the DVD is cut such that the bottom of the scene is above the cloth cover. There is a lushness to the photography, and a refreshing frankness about what the business is all about. This is a well crafted movie, but perhaps doesn't age all that well. The atmosphere of the times is well depicted and this is a movie that flows. Susan Sarandon plays her role expertly. Brooke Shields does an adequate job. With all the publicity of the times about her role, it is only a good role, not a great role. Fans of hers will want this DVD. Taking pictures in 1917 was not a simple process, and Keith Carradine plays a fine role of a probably neglected and lonely photographer. Perhaps the most telling phrase was when Violet tells Bellocq: "Who cares. No one buys your photographs anyway!" The depiction of the characters and the atmosphere of the time is a reason to buy this DVD. The true shame about this DVD is that, for all the time it took to release this as a DVD, there is nothing in the way of extras.Movie Review: Pretty Baby
Summary: 3 Stars
Pretty BabyIn response to A Customer, I bought Pretty Baby last week and I don't know when or where you purchased your copy, but mine is not censored. Brooke Shields, Who was probably around 11 at the time was shown nude from the waist up and behind when shes locked out of the house and was shown completely nude in one of the photographs Keith Carradine is taking of her. Now I'm no prude, I was only 10 years old when this film came out and had wondered for years what all the fuss was about and I must say that I was a little shocked at the nudity of this small child. The film could not be made today, it would be considered child pornography. After all the fuss that was made about the film Hounddog with Dakota Fanning, Which I thought was a hauntingly sad film told in a tasteful matter I have only one thing to say : watch Pretty Baby if you want to see children exploited on film. Otherwise i thought Pretty Baby was a good movie, but how did they get away with the underage nudity???Movie Review: Visually appealing but lacks depth.
Summary: 3 Stars
Pretty Baby starring Susan Sarandon could've been a great little art film but rather it comes off pretentious and off-kiltered. Brooke Shields sure was a "pretty baby" back then and although her fragile but strong-willed performance is good, you just feel kinda like a prevert watching such a young girl portraying a child prostitute. Keith Carradine creeps me out and the film is dated now. Pretty Baby is intriguing but not brilliant.