Pretty Baby

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Pretty Baby ★★★ 1978 (R)

Shield's launching pad and Malle's first American film is a masterpiece of cinematography and style, nearly upstaged by the plodding story line. Carradine manages to be effective but never succeeds at looking comfortable as the New Orleans photographer besotted with, and subsequently married to, an 11yearold prostitute (Shields). Low key, disturbingly intriguing story, beautifully photographed by Sven Nykvist. 109m/C VHS, DVD . Brooke Shields, Keith Carradine, Susan Sarandon, Barbara Steele, Diana Scarwid, Antonio Fargas, Frances Faye, Gerrit Graham, Mae Mercer; D: Louis Malle; W: Polly Platt; C: Sven Nykvist; M: Jerry Wexler.