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Pretty Baby (1978)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 6.9/10
Reviews Counted: 14
Fresh: 11 | Rotten: 3

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Release Date: Apr 5, 1978 Wide

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Average Rating: 3.3/5
User Ratings: 4,557

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Movie Info

After making a series of acclaimed and controversial films in his native France, director Louis Malle made his American debut with this disturbing but visually beautiful story about Hattie (Susan Sarandon), a prostitute working in New Orleans' Storyville district at the turn of the century. When Hattie becomes pregnant, she opts to keep her baby and gives birth to a daughter named Violet, raising her in the brothel where she continues to work. Twelve years later, Violet (Brooke Shields) is old

R, 1 hr. 49 min.

Drama

Directed By: Louis Malle

Written By: Polly Platt

In Theaters: Apr 5, 1978 Wide

On DVD: Nov 18, 2003

Cast

Keith Carradine
E.J. Bellocq
Susan Sarandon
Hattie
Brooke Shields
Violet
Frances Faye
Mme. Nell Livingston
Antonio Fargas
Professor Piano Player
Gerrit Graham
Highpockets
Mae Mercer
Mama Mosebery
Diana Scarwid
Frieda
Barbara Steele
Josephine
Mathew Douglas Anton
Red Top
Seret Scott
Flora
Cheryl Markowitz
Gussie
Susan Manskey
Fanny
Laura Zimmerman
Agnes
Miz Mary
Odette
Don Hood
Alfred Fuller
Don K. Lutenbacher
Violet's First Customer
Pat Perkins
Ola Mae
Matthew Anton

Critic Reviews for Pretty Baby

All Critics (20) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (11) | Rotten (4) | DVD (2)

An inert and boring morality tale that should please neither sensationalists nor puritans.

November 1, 2007 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

While it oozes with atmosphere and Sarandon is superb, the story never comes together and Malle's treatment of Shields is kinda creepy.

September 8, 2005 Comment (1)

Dan Fienberg

Zap2it.com

powerfully disturbing

April 29, 2005 Comment

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

It was shocking in its day, perhaps... but today... [it] can't hope to be as provocative...

August 8, 2004 Full Review Source: Flick Filosopher

| Comment

MaryAnn Johanson

Flick Filosopher

Sexy Sarandon in an early role as the whore mom of child prostitute Brook Shields.

January 31, 2004 Comment

Lori Hoffman

Atlantic City Weekly Source: Atlantic City Weekly

worthy of strong consideration

November 14, 2003 Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com

| Comment

Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

It was once shocking and dull. Now it's just dull.

November 5, 2003 Comment

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Susan Sarandon, as Hattie, is seamless and flawless, not to mention at her shapliest best.

July 5, 2003 Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews

| Comment

Frank Wilkins

ReelTalk Movie Reviews

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Audience Reviews for Pretty Baby

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One of those things I had to see. And I must say that if it didn't make you slightly sick, you need therapy.Anyway, this is my second (I think) Malle film and something tells me I liked the other one better. The loonngg reaction shots were questionable only because the actor didn't actually emote more, just blank stare

December 7, 2010

Jennifer D

Super Reviewer

The red-light district of New Orleans. The story of the women. The photographer. And the prostitute's daughter.

December 13, 2009

Wahida K

Super Reviewer

Pretty Baby Quotes

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1. Fanny: Violet, you should touch him down there, you know, like it's accidental.
– Submitted by Ricardo Z (6 months ago)
1. Violet: I know what to do. Leave me alone.
– Submitted by Ricardo Z (6 months ago)
1. Hattie: Well, don't act like you know it all. You won't even get a tip that way.
– Submitted by Ricardo Z (6 months ago)