this be louis malle first american movie and another one like zazie dans le metro ( 1960 ) and murmur of the heart ( 1972 ) and lacombe lucien ( 1974 ) and black moon ( 1975 ) and au revoir and les enfants ( 1987 ) which deal with the world of child . it be also a notoriously scandalous film because of child pornography issue ( the setting be a new orleans brothel ) and which make it a surprising choice for dvd release in this age of political correctness although paramount basically just slap it onto disc and a it a no frill release ( with not even a trailer to go with it ) . however and despite a notable cast ( keith carradine and susan sarandon and barbara steele and gerrit graham ) and the film only really come to life after a rather wander first half when the lolita esquire element of the brooke shield character take center stage . a a matter of fact and shield become an international superstar with her role in pretty baby which be similar to the one play by jodie foster in taxi driver ( 1976 ) . malle do not shrink from show it protagonist ( especially 12 year old shield ) in the nude but it always tastefully present and i. e. in a non exploitative manner . besides and the film period reconstruction be impeccable .