One of my all time favorites.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Yep. When it comes to the likes of 1977's "Pretty Baby" - This one is definitely "the end to the innocence".As this film's story so gleefully points out - There's nothing like taking away a 12-year-old girl's virginity in order to get her to grow up. Indeed.In this white-trash, whorehouse soap opera - (director) Louis Malle tries so desperately to turn its gutter-level story into a high-class affair. But - IMO - He fails miserably.For all of Pretty Baby's sleaze, tackiness, and insensitivity - It actually makes a laughably lame attempt to redeem itself by tacking on an ending that's straight out of Disney's "Cinderella".And, finally - I seriously wonder just how many paedophiles' wishful fantasies have been instantly fuelled by this film's totally slutty, bottom-of-the-barrel, child-prostitution rubbish.

This movie was a showcase for Brooke Shields. Let's face facts. A lot of the people who went to see this had heard about her tender age. I'm sure there were pedophiles in every theater. Shields was a beautiful child and was probably exploited to get her into the movies. The story is that of a young girl who grows up in a brothel. She is being "held back" until she turns twelve. Eventually, the place they live becomes off limits to their top clientele. Brooke is simply a part of the family but has had a lifetime of experiences. Is she capable of going back to being just a girl. That's the issue that she faces. This film is lush with images of the south. It is a striking movie, but I did feel a little sick having seen it.

Brooke Shields became a household name for her performance as twelve year old Violet, a prostitute's daughter, raised in a New Orleans whorehouse. Susan Sarandon does a terrific job playing her mother, Hattie. Frances Faye is a scene stealer in her final film performance as Nell who owns and operates the whorehouse. Keith Carradine plays a photographer who takes a serious interest in the women and girls as more than objects. Brooke Shields' Violet is the pretty baby who is surrounded by sex and knows nothing else. The scenes in which Violet's innocence, youth, and virginity are exploited by Nell and the others who live there as a suitable way to make a living is disturbing. Violet's virginity is auctioned off as a commodity to the highest bidder is definitely something that would shock film audiences of 1978. Nell says "there are two things to do in New Orleans on a rainy day and I don't like to play bridge!" Is a classic film line. Violet's life in New Orleans is tragic and sad but she manages to understand and comprehend her surroundings.

This movie is not child porn. Brooke Shields has always been a fine actress and still is. I can rent this movie tomorrow from at least three major outlets. This movie was never ordered pulled from store shelves as was Tracy Lords movies. That's because it is a totally artistic movie that very realistically portrays red light district life in early 20th century New Orleans. I first saw the movie on cable! As far as controversy, there are legal French films that would blow this one away.It's also a great film for Brooke fans who get to watch an amazing personality bloom into an awesome woman over her career.Here's some more words for ten line mininum because I really don't have anything more to say except that I've already said a whole bunch for just five lines and I really don't want to add any more so I think that about does it. I want to thank my producers, directors, inducers and smectors.Good night all!