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Review:
A semi-scandal upon its release in 1978, this Louis Malle film is set in a turn-of-the-century, New Orleans bordello and focuses on a girl named Violet (then-child actress Brooke Shields) whose imminent twelfth birthday signals her "readiness" to become a career prostitute. Typical of Malle, the outwardly forbidden nature of the story and relationships within are morally obscured by the immediate experiences and unqualified urges of the characters. The little heroine brings a distinctly youthful and innocent view to the milieu, and the introduction of a photographer (Keith Carradine)--who eventually marries Violet--in the brothel carries the suggestion that there is art and beauty to be explored there. Susan Sarandon is beguiling as Violet's mother, who seems to unfold in the cameraman's presence. The film moves a little stiffly, a little slowly, possibly from a heavy emphasis on period art direction and Sven Nykvist's moody if gorgeous photography.

Scene of Violet (Brooke Shields) getting out of the tub nude to service her second trick.
Scene of her waking up nude after presumably having sex with Bellocq (Keith Carradine) the night before.
Bellocq sees her taking a bath and decides to photograph her in the nude. Here is where her "coverings" are most evident; she appears to be genuinely nude except for a triangle shaped piece of gauze covering her private parts.

Children's Cast:

Brooke Shields [13]

Violet

PoncaBird76: This is an excellent movie with good undertones ______________ one picture is worth a thousand words Posted: 19 May 2013, 07:03

fanmodels: this is very good film i love the film and Brooke Shields very pretty Posted: 22 Feb 2012, 03:34

tyciol: Been wanting to see this classic for a long time. ______________ -Ty Posted: 26 May 2010, 17:14

rwandsworth0: A true classic and an absolute must-see. Some people may mind the subject matter somewhat disturbing, but to me it keeps the film very real and helps bring empathy towards the characters. Posted: 30 Dec 2009, 21:27

tag1462: Okay, does anybody watch this as a film? It's really an ( sort of ) indepth character study. Violet knows one world and grows into it.... and it's perfectly normal. Bellocq sees something else... probably just money. And worlds collide. Watch it once for the tittilation, watch it again just for the character interaction of innocence & exapseration. My take; Violet & Bellocq loved each other, but didn't know why.... more ______________ Change perception, change reality Posted: 09 May 2009, 14:50

LarsBecker: Not the real solution to explain the problem of child prostitution 51 Posted: 14 Dec 2008, 00:55