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Season 1 – Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields

Play trailer 2:36 Poster for Season 1 – Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields 2023 Biography Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 43 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
PRETTY BABY: BROOKE SHIELDS is a galvanizing look at actor, model and icon Brooke Shields as she transforms from a sexualized young girl to a woman discovering her power. Holding a mirror up to a society that objectifies women and girls, her story shows the perils and triumphs of gaining agency in a hostile world. The film follows Shields through her extraordinary childhood and complex relationship with her mother and manager, Teri Shields. Shields' professional career began at only 11 months old, working as a child model before starring in Louis Malle's controversial film "Pretty Baby" at the age of 12. She became the face of the eighties with Calvin Klein jeans ads, and leading roles in "The Blue Lagoon" and "Endless Love," navigating the unrelenting scrutiny of the press and a culture that wanted to commodify her. After defying stereotypes by going to college, Shields re-enters the entertainment industry as an adult, but it isn't until she begins to trust herself and her instincts that she's able to find her identity and voice.
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Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields — Season 1

Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

As much an exposé on ugly cultural forces as it is a straightforward presentation of Brooke Shields' life, Pretty Baby is disturbing and triumphant in equal measure.

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Critics Reviews

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Izzy Ampil BuzzFeed News Pretty Baby skims over questions that deserve more thorough answers. Apr 14, 2023 Full Review Courtney Howard AV Club As revealing as it is revolting to hear what she experienced, it inspires plenty of thought-provoking conversations. Rated: B Apr 4, 2023 Full Review Richard Roeper Chicago Sun-Times What does seem clear is that Brooke Shields has emerged from decades in the harsh glare of the spotlight and some heavy trials and tribulations as one tremendously impressive person... Rated: 3/4 Apr 3, 2023 Full Review Erik Childress Movie Madness Podcast An illuminating document into the gross exploitation of a young woman that gives us a fuller picture of someone that fame and the media saw through a very narrow and dehumanizing lens. Rated: 3.5/4 Jul 20, 2023 Full Review Valerie Ettenhofer The Playlist A complicated portrait not just of a pretty face but of a deeply resilient spirit. Rated: B May 16, 2023 Full Review Lauren Humphries-Brooks Citizen Dame Filtering the story of Brooke Shields through the lens of her own experience, the film examines not just Shields’s star persona, but the obsessive and damaging nature of stardom itself. Apr 23, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stefano T It's ok, if you're really into Brooke Shields, it'll tell you about her life. I wasn't really that interested in her but I was curious to watch this to see if there was something that would interest me (especially since it had such good notes) but there wasn't. It's not bad though, I just didn't find it that interesting. It's "ok". Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/19/25 Full Review gabriel r Eye opening. Amazing. Her honesty and openness was inspiring. Her willingness to talk about her post partum depression brought tears. I have no words for her upbringing in the movie industry and amazed she can speak so candidly about it. To me she is a true role model in being honest with yourself and others. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/17/24 Full Review Lilianna P My favorite documentary about a celebrity I've ever watched Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/25/24 Full Review J M This is the best documentary of its kind since Ethan Hawke's THE LAST MOVIE STARS about Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. From the very first moment featuring an uncomfortable moment on THE MIKE DOUGLAS SHOW, I found myself alternately shocked, appalled and flabbergasted. Looking back over what Shields went through with a modern-day sensibility, the results are nothing short of jaw-dropping. There is nothing salacious or exploitative about the filmmaking here - it handles the delicate material remarkably well. And I found myself with a newfound respect for Shields, whose candor is extraordinarily moving. Of the interviews included, I was most interested to hear from Laura Linney, who grew up with Shields and has known her for decades. I had no idea of the struggles and battles Shields encountered throughout her career, and this film touches on pretty much everything - from her mother's severe alcoholism to her marriage to Andre Agassi to the disgusting way she was treated by Tom Cruise concerning her post-partum depression. Most disturbing of all is the sexualization she experienced before she even hit puberty. It's unreal!! This is an eye-opening, surprisingly profound experience, and I won't forget it anytime soon. - Jeff Marshall, Movie Blogger (Facebook) Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/23/24 Full Review Steve D Watched the first episode. Interesting but very duplicative. Found it very long. Got to the point where I lost interest. When it came to the second episode (of the two) I just didn't want to wade through a lot of duplicative material. I'm sure big fans of hers would love this documentary. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/23/23 Full Review Beth T Loved it. The minute it ended I shared it with my adult daughter. Brooke Shields is an inspiration. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/05/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Apr 3, 2023 Part One From sexualized young girl to Princeton graduate, we explore Brooke’s extraordinary childhood and her complex relationship with mother/manager Teri. Details Episode 2 Aired Apr 3, 2023 Part Two Now the most famous woman to graduate college, Brooke finds her voice, but when she tries to use it, a toxic culture will do anything to shut her up. Details
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Season Info

Director
Lana Wilson
Executive Producer
Lana Wilson, Jay Peterson, Todd Lubin, Ali Wentworth, George Stephanopoulos, Alyssa Mastromonaco, Jacqueline Glover, Jennifer Joseph
Network
Hulu
Genre
Biography, Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date
Apr 3, 2023