Brooke Shields earned praise earlier this year when she bravely spoke about her turbulent time in the public spotlight for a Sundance-approved documentary Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields, named after the controversial 1978 film. And her co-star in that film, Keith Carradine, is among the many friends and colleagues who are proud of the actress for speaking her truth. “Brook's an extraordinary woman,” Carradine told Yahoo Entertainment during an interview about her star turn on an episode of the Fox legal drama accused, “I appreciate her, and I appreciate what she's going through.”
Shields in the documentary — which is currently streaming on Hulu — and in the press leading up to its release, applauding both Carradine as well. The actress was 11 when she was cast Beautiful baby as Violet, a 12-year-old resident of a New Orleans brothel who has a romance with Carradine's adult photographer. Already controversial in its time due to the subject matter and Shields' age, Carradine acknowledges that the film, which was released by Paramount, could not be made today under any circumstances.
“Certainly, there's no way that movie would be made today,” he says. “Neither should we. I was invited to participate by one of the world's leading filmmakers and it was produced by a major film studio, and I trusted the people I was working with that it would be handled properly and delicately. And frankly, I was 27 at the time and very naive myself. But we were working with extraordinary artists, and I felt like Its being done.
Whatever conflicting feelings about Shields Beautiful baby Now, she's become very clear that Carradine was an anchor for her during a complicated production. appearing on the drew barrymore show last month, the actress credited her co-star for helping her through an on-camera kissing scene, which was also her first kiss. “He looked at me and said, ‘You know, this doesn't count as a first kiss,'” Shields recalled.
Asked if he remembers the moment, Carradine nodded. “I remember it very clearly,” he says. “I applaud Brooke's exploration of her life and re-examining things from her childhood. She is an important person, and I can only support her efforts in completing her exploration that she is now aware of.” How I feel.”
“The '70s was an interesting decade in terms of the explosion of women's rights and the sexual revolution,” Carradine says, reflecting on what it was like to be an actor during an era of Hollywood that became much mythologized in the succeeding decades. Is. “And it was definitely an exploratory era in terms of filmmaking and storytelling. There were some very daring things being done cinematically that probably wouldn't be discovered or tackled today. And that's the nature of society and how we We grow and the things we learn.”
Meanwhile, Carradine's accused The episode, “Billy's Story”, speaks to much of the contemporary concerns. Each episode of the anthology series – which has been adapted from a 2010 BBC production – follows a different legal drama. In Billy's case, he's a rock star in his twilight years preparing one last greatest hits compilation with the aid of his adult son (Evan Gamble), who is battling a serious drug addiction. It is revealed at the beginning of the episode that Billy is on trial before flashing back to reveal what exactly led him to that point.
We talked to Carradine about returning to the recording booth nearly fifty years after he wrote “I'm Easy” for Robert Altman's 1975 satire nashvilleand her Madonna moment in the “Material Girl” music video.
I have to say it's great to hear you sing it again accused case. Was it as much fun for you as it was for the audience?
Absolutely. you know, about a year ago I was working with Jenna Elfman, and we were finishing fear the walking dead, Correct. He asked me, “What are you planning to do next?” And I said, “I'm sure someone will let me do some music again.” And here we are! Needless to say, it's an amazing role and a powerful story, but the opportunity to do some music was very tempting.
I saw nashville The first time I was a teenager, and even then I knew I was looking at something special. And your scene with Lily Tomlin remains an amazing moment in that movie.
It was an extraordinary experience for all of us. And the fact that Robert Altman invited the cast to come up with our own music was remarkable. Most of us were songwriters, and that's what we did. Bob was a mad genius in some ways and to take that song, “I'm Easy,” which I wrote wholeheartedly and then put it in that setting and context with Lily, was amazing. He was very smart.
I'm sorry you never showed up grace and frankie – It would have been great to see you sing for Lily again.
me too! I actually reached out to him at one point. I don't think they thought it was something for me to do, but I would love to be involved in all of them. I've known Jen for years, and it would have been fun.
One of the timely elements of “Billy's Story” is how it tackles drug addiction, especially in the midst of the ongoing opioid epidemic. How do you think the episode speaks to our current moment?
It's an incredibly socially relevant story to be told. Drug addiction is a huge problem in our society, and it's clear the opioid crisis hasn't gone away. We're still dealing with that, especially in terms of the parent-child dynamic and the incredible challenge and heartbreak that comes with being the parent of an addict. There is a sense of hopelessness and futility that is sprinkled with the hope that a parent always has that we can find a solution that you and your child can work through together. I haven't lost a child to addiction myself, but I have a few friends who have and it's a profound experience as a parent. I found the story really compelling in that regard.
You've previously talked about growing up with a father who was an alcoholic. Did you bring that personal experience to the role?
It's inevitable that I bring that into whatever I'm doing. It's part of my DNA and my entire life experience. So I have that in mind and it's very approachable, which is both a blessing and a curse. my father [actor John Carradine] was a drinker, and he was a controlled drinker, so he could get away with a lot at night, but he would sober up in the morning and go to work. He was a consummate supporter and it never affected his work. So it was an interesting point in terms of their relationship with the spirits, by which I mean fluidly.
It's all part of my history, and [that helped] In terms of trying to make sense of a child's demons and whatever it is that drives someone to try and escape the reality that they are finding it difficult to handle. I have never directly struggled with substance abuse myself, but I certainly know people who have and I have many friends who have. [recovery] Program. So it's not a subject that I'm unfamiliar with, but to look at it from the perspective of an actor playing the father of a drug addict who is well into adulthood and still dealing with issues that are powerful stuff Was.
I won't spoil the ending of the episode, but do you think Billy is finally judged fairly?
In terms of what happens and how, and where Billy is in his life experience at that point, it's hard to think that this is unfair. It's one of the things that drives the show: wrestling with the legal system and the nuances therein. there's a reason [Accused showrunner] Howard Gordon and his team are so obsessed with the environment that the law is complicated. And I appreciate their willingness to explore complex issues and show this stuff and give the audience credit for thinking about it.
Next year marks the 40th anniversary of Madonna's “Material Girl” music video. I think people often forget that you have a role as the guy who is pursuing her romantically. How did that opportunity come?
Madonna requested me! She was familiar with my work at that time, and she knew what story was going to be told in that particular video and felt that I was the right person to play that role. So it's as simple as that: Madonna said, “Hey, can we get Keith to do this?” And I said, “Sure.” It was an interesting three days, I can say that. Madonna is an extraordinary talent and I had the privilege of spending a few days working with her.
I like to imagine that the “Material Girl” music video is canon for Billie's backstory in the music business.
Yeah, maybe it all does cross-pollination to a certain level. [Laughs]
How did it happen accused Talk about the kinds of roles you're looking for now?
I'm looking for anything that's going to be challenging, and that's going to be demanding on me and my craft, you know? I've tried to maintain a spirit of discovery, and I've tried to look for things that will continue to challenge me, because that's where growth happens. And I never want to stop growing! I think I'm probably a better actor now than I was when I was 25, or at least, I hope so. [Laughs] And I am also looking forward to working with actors who will act opposite me in a scene as well. There are amazing actors out there, and every time I get a chance to work with someone who has that gift, it lifts me up.
Let me end on a quick shoutout to another great movie you're in, Walter Hill's 1980 western, The Long Riders. Is this the one you think about too fondly?
Absolutely! Literally, everyone and his brother was in that movie. [Laughs] When Walter put that material together, he realized that these were acting families of brothers and cousins, and that became the story. No one had ever done this before; You'll always have a bunch of actors who aren't related, so that was an incredibly authentic thing to put onscreen. [The Long Riders stars Keith, David and Robert Carradine, Dennis and Randy Quaid, Christopher and Nicholas Guest and James and Stacy Keach.]
I think the film holds up so well. A lot of people always talk to me about that film and how much they love it. And Walter Hill is one of the great directors in the world. they just made one with christoph waltz That was great.
accused Airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Fox.