Pretty Baby - 1978 - Starring Brooke Shields - ... Direct

Whether condemned as child exploitation or praised as a brutal masterpiece, Pretty Baby (1978) starring Brooke Shields remains one of the most unforgettable and unshakable films ever made. It forces us to look at something ugly through a pretty lens—and not everyone can bear that gaze.

Today, the film is viewed through a much more critical lens. Many modern critics argue that Pretty Baby has not aged well, not because of its filmmaking, but because of its ethical framework. In a post-Weinstein, post-#MeToo world, the idea of a director creating a film about a child prostitute with actual nude scenes involving a real child is seen by many as indefensible. Pretty Baby - 1978 - Starring Brooke Shields - ...

Despite its taboo subject matter, the film received critical acclaim for its artistic merit. Reviewers from Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic have maintained generally favorable ratings over the decades. Whether condemned as child exploitation or praised as

The film’s legacy is inextricably tied to its depiction of a minor in sexualized contexts. Many modern critics argue that Pretty Baby has