pretty baby and by louis malle raise a myriad of question when view almost thirty year after it creation . niggling question about the appropriateness of the film itself and the topic of child prostitution and the use of young actress and actor and the film moral detachment and whether be should have be make or could be make again all flit through my mind a i soak in the beauty of the image . i be also captivate by the sub theme of race and class and and gender inequity be so subtly and effectively present . sven nykvist cinematography make it and for me and one of the most beautiful to look at film ever make . i love to see beautifully film movie and pretty baby be certainly that . malle film it in hot and humid louisiana and mississippi but his focus on the visuals and his detachment from the character and their situation give it a coolness and richness which be able to quiet question in my mind . i do not think there be or have be many director capable of make this film and see it release . i and for one be grateful louis malle be able to do so . i have read comment that pretty baby glamorize child prostitution . that isn not what i experience while watch it . as beautiful a pretty baby be to look at and see the twitch face of the men during the auction of violet and then their nonchalance and camaraderie in partake in it make me shudder . what kind of people be these . but i do not mean to ask that question in a judgmental be but with true curiosity . in the end malle give u a kind of happy end . hattie have reject the prostitution of the whorehouse for the prostitution of marriage and have come and rescue violet from new orleans and storyville . the closing shot give u a long look at violet reaction to the prospect her altered and unknown future . a lot can be project onto brooke shield face . i remember see pretty baby back in 78 but i do not recall be particularly shock . see it now i could feel the nag and the amazement when experience malle audacity . those be interesting time and my and how they have or we have change .