| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Brooke Shields | ... | ||
| Keith Carradine | ... | ||
| Susan Sarandon | ... | ||
| Frances Faye | ... | ||
| Antonio Fargas | ... |
Professor
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Matthew Anton | ... |
Red Top
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| Diana Scarwid | ... | ||
| Barbara Steele | ... | ||
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Seret Scott | ... | |
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Cheryl Markowitz | ... | |
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Susan Manskey | ... | |
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Laura Zimmerman | ... |
Agnes
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Miz Mary | ... |
Odette
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| Gerrit Graham | ... |
Highpockets
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Mae Mercer | ... |
Mama Mosebery
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In 1917, in the red light district Storyville, New Orleans, the prostitute Hattie lives with her twelve year-old daughter Violet in the fancy brothel of Madame Nell, where she works. Photographer Ernest J. Bellocq has an attraction to Hallie and Violet and he is an habitué of the whorehouse. One day, Madame Nell auctions Violet's virginity and the winner pays the fortune of US$ 400 to spend the night with the girl. Then Hattie marries a wealthy client and moves to Saint Louis, leaving Violet in the brothel alone. Violet decides to marry Bellocq and she moves to his house. Until the day that Hattie, who has overcome her past, comes to Bellocq's house with the intention to take Violet with her. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
If you look close, you will notice that the direction is pulling you into the story. Louis Malle holds onto the image in front of us until we have taken it all in. When we think there will be a cut soon in the film, we are robbed of this pity. Instead, we are given reality. At first, I thought the movie as going to end at the edge of the river bank during the picnic. It would have been a delightful shock for the movie to end in such a pure and innocent way. However, we are not given this. In fact, Louis Malle once again cheats(tricks)us into this. The next shot in the film shows the newly married couple having breakfast. If you watch closely, again, you will notice the scene comes ever so quick without a dissolve in neither the picture nor the music. A film that will stand the test of time. Reasons.....yes, sadly, the nudity will keep this video rented on a monthly bases. Then again, the movie does capture the bleak poetry of the era and tells a story like no other. One of Brooke's first and best roles.