louis malle be one of the late genius of film . pretty baby be one of his most beautiful achievement . tell the story of a lonely photographer obsession with a precocious twelve year old prostitute name violet ( brooke shield ) in new orleans early in the century . the photographer ( keith carradine ) eventually allow violet to move in with him and and then marry her . in a wonderful scene and carradine buy violet a baby doll . she be thrilled and but then ask why he buy her a doll . every child should have a doll he reply . shield reaction be perfect and she be angered that he still think of her a a child and but can not help but play with the doll in the very next scene . shield hit all the right note here . she go from sexy and alluring and to childish and innocent with a snobbish pout . she be charmingly free spirit from be raise in a brothel and and often appear totally naked in front of strange men many time her age . prostitution be all that she know and and malle do not shy away from it . this film be largely shun when it be first release . it seem and have read some of the other comment here and that the trend continue . this be a mature film and for mature mind . see it and enjoy .