Pretty Baby (1978 film)
- Brooke Shields: Violet
- Keith Carradine: Ernest James Bellocq
- Susan Sarandon: Hattie
- Frances Faye: Madame Nell Livingston
- Antonio Fargas: Professor, Piano Player
- Mae Mercer: Mama Mosebery
- Barbara Steele: Josephine
- Diana Scarwid: Frieda
- Gerrit Graham: High Pockets
Pretty Baby [ ˌ ˌ prɪdi beɪbi ] is a film directed by Louis Malle from 1978.
Action
The film depicts the life of 12 -year-old Violet in a brothel in New Orleans at the beginning of the 20th century. The young girl lives among the prostitutes and their suitors as one big family. One day, the shy young photographer EJ Bellocq appears in the brothel to take photos of prostitutes. Violet finds him fascinating.
First Violet is only an observer in the brothel. But then her virginity is auctioned to the highest bidder. Shortly after taking Violets mother Hattie to the marriage proposal of a suitor and moved with him to St. Louis. Violet, who issued them ( to the groom not to scare ) and her younger sister, remains in the brothel.
Bellocq begins with Violet in a love relationship and the girl moves in with him. However, between the adult man and the child, there are difficulties. Violet is flighty, used and playful luxury, Bellocq down to earth and realistic - fails the relationship. As short time later, the brothel closes, had just returned to the Violet, Bellocq makes her complete surprise to marry him. She agrees without hesitation.
Then comes as surprising Violets mother with her husband to get Violet to himself and to send to the school. Because marriage is not legally effective with a minor, must Bellocq permit, although he pretends not to be able to not live.
The film ends with a scene at the train station. Hattie man takes a picture of his wife, their baby, and Violet. Violets view leaves room for interpretation, whether they mourns her supposedly adult life, or becomes aware, now to live the life of a normal child.
Background
The film is based on the life of Ernest J. Bellocq of the photographer, after its original images, many scenes in the film were composed.
Awards
The film was awarded in 1978 at the International Film Festival in Cannes with the art Grand Prix.