Blog Directory CineVerse: Not just another pretty face

Not just another pretty face

Friday, February 8, 2013

Two days ago, CineVerse screened "Pretty Baby" and engaged in an in-depth group talk about the merits and controversies of the 1978 film. Here are the major discussion points:

WHAT ARE THIS FILM’S GREATEST STRENGTHS?
·       It approaches its controversial subject honestly and without pulling any punches; it doesn’t attempt to titillate or exploit for crass, erotic purposes as, say, a cheap grindhouse flick on the subject of prostitution would
·       The picture is well-cast, with good performances from top-shelf actors, including Susan Sarandon, Brooke Shields, and Keith Carradine
·       It’s beautifully photographed by the great cinematographer Sven Nykvist
·       The period music and score for the movie is emotionally resonant, bittersweet and appropriate

WHAT ARE THIS MOVIE’S GREATEST FLAWS?
·       The fact that it casts a 12-year-old in a role that involves nudity and prurient subject matter; it’s a film that has the potential to make you feel sleazy just for watching it
·       Arguably, it can be difficult to accept the romance/love story between Bellocq and Violet; we get that he wants to save her, but what are his motivations beyond that?

COULD THIS MOVIE BE MADE (OR REMADE FOR THAT MATTER) TODAY?
·       Probably not, as it would be deemed child pornography and possibly not bankable as a box office investment, with the capacity to incite too much controversy and backlash
·       This movie was a product of its times: the cinematically much freer and more independent 1970s, when filmmakers could broach controversial subjects and take chances
·       If it were remade, it would have to cast an older actress to play Violet and probably refrain from having that actress appear nude

WAS HAVING BROOKE SHIELDS APPEAR NUDE AN UNECESSARY MISTAKE, OR WAS IT APPROPRIATE TO DEPICT THE HARSH, UNSETTLING REALISM OF THE TIME, SETTING AND SITUATION?
·       The filmmakers could have simply suggested nudity without actually showing private parts by using careful camera angles
·       However, that wouldn’t have been as disturbing or effective as showing the real 12-year-old actress and what her character was forced to engage in, which was the whole point
·       One side effect of showing a naked 12-year-old actress is that it can detract from appreciating the overall story and message/theme; if you focus too much on the shocking images and circumstances of the film’s casting/shooting, you may miss the whole point.

DID THE DIRECTOR DEMONSTRATE GOOD TASTE OR BAD TASTE IN HIS DEPICTION OF THE NUDITY, SEX, AND CONTROVERSIAL SITUATIONS WITHIN THE BROTHEL?
·       You could argue that he practiced restraint and cautious, careful respect in his choices; his intent was likely not to sexually arouse or satisfy any base desires, but to simply show the truth of what occurred in these brothels at that time and place
·       After all, the film has to be at least somewhat controversial, as befitting its disturbing subject matter, otherwise the message is diluted and softened
·       Then again, ask yourself: could or should a filmmaker get away with showing a nude 12-year-old actress today? Almost certainly no.

OTHER FILMS BY LOUIS MALLE
·       Murmur of the Heart
·       Lacombe, Lucien
·       Atlantic City
·       Au Revoir Les Enfants
·       My Dinner with Andre

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