Pretty Baby 1978
“The image of an adult world seen through a child's eyes.”
What is Pretty Baby?
The film Pretty Baby is set in New Orleans. It takes place in a specific year, which is 1917.
- Type
- Film
- Year
- 1978
- Status
- Released
- Runtime
- 110 minutes
- Release date
- Apr 5, 1978
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- United States of America
- Studios
- Paramount Pictures
- Budget
- $3,500,000
- Revenue
- $11,600,000
- Genres
- Drama
- Updated
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Trailer
Overview
The film Pretty Baby is set in New Orleans. It takes place in a specific year, which is 1917. The story revolves around a young girl who is 12 years old. This girl is being raised in a particular establishment, which is a brothel. Her mother, who is a prostitute, is responsible for her upbringing in this environment. The film explores the life of this young girl in the context of her unusual living situation. The setting of the brothel and the presence of the mother's profession suggest a complex and potentially challenging environment for the girl's development. The film appears to offer a portrayal of life in this unique setting, with the young girl at its center. The details of the story are shaped by the specific time and place in which it is set, which is New Orleans in 1917.
Should you watch it?
“A young girl navigates childhood in a New Orleans brothel in 1917.”
- Authentic period setting
- Brooke Shields delivers a compelling performance
- Louis Malle’s nuanced direction
- Mature sexual themes may be unsettling
- Deliberate pacing can feel slow
Watch it if you appreciate nuanced period dramas that explore childhood in adult environments.
The film contains adult subject matter and sexual themes, making it unsuitable for younger viewers.
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Cast
Frequently asked questions
When and where does Pretty Baby take place?
The story is set in 1917 New Orleans.
Who directed Pretty Baby?
The film was directed by Louis Malle.
Who stars as the 12‑year‑old girl?
Brooke Shields plays the lead role.
What is the film based on?
The screenplay draws from first‑hand recollections of New Orleans’ red‑light district published in a book.
What genre best describes the film?
Pretty Baby is an American historical drama.