Production Year: 1997 - Drama - Director: Adrian Lyne - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Jeremy Irons, Melanie Griffith, Frank Langella, Dominique Swain, Suzanne Shepherd more
Lyne (FATAL ATTRACTION) tries his hand at a more faithful adaptation of Nabokov's novel than Kubrick was allowed to attempt in 1962. In the process, Irons gives an amazing,... more
Lolita [1962] [DVD]
Stanley Kubrick's 1961 version ofLolita, Vladimir Nabokov's notorious 1953 novel, prompted ... more
a scandal in its day: even to address the issue of paedophilia on screen was deemed to be as perverted as the hapless protagonist Humbert Humbert. James Mason plays Humbert, the suave English Professor whose gentlemanly exterior peels away as quickly as his scruples once exposed to Sue Lyons' well-developed teenage beauty. In order to be close to her, he marries her mother, the lonely and pathetically pretentious Charlotte (Shelley Winters) only for her to expire conveniently, leaving Humbert free to embark on a motel-to-motel trek across America with Lolita in tow, evading suspicions that theirs is more than a father-daughter relationship. Peter Sellers, meanwhile, gives a Dr Strangelove-typetour de forceperformance as Clare Quilty, a TV writer also in pursuit of Lolita, who harasses Humbert under several guises, including a psychiatrist.As a movie,Lolitais flawed, albeit interestingly so. The sexual innuendo (a summer camp called Camp Climax, for example) seems jarring and pointless, while Sellers' comic turn detracts from any sense of guilt, tension or tragedy. It's as if the real purpose of the film is to offer a sort of silent, mocking laughter at the wretched Humbert and systematically divest him of his dignity. By the end, he is a babbling wretch while Sue Lyons' Lolita is pragmatic and self-possessed. It's Mason and Lyons' performances, which lift the film from its mess of structural difficulties. Decades on, their central relationship still makes for pitifully compulsive viewing.On the DVD:Few extras, sadly, though the brief original trailer is excellent, built around the question, "How could they make a film out ofLolita?". The original black and white picture and mono sound are excellent. --David Stubbs
Lolita [1962] [DVD]
Stanley Kubrick's 1961 version ofLolita, Vladimir Nabokov's notorious 1953 novel, prompted ... more
a scandal in its day: even to address the issue of paedophilia on screen was deemed to be as perverted as the hapless protagonist Humbert Humbert. James Mason plays Humbert, the suave English Professor whose gentlemanly exterior peels away as quickly as his scruples once exposed to Sue Lyons' well-developed teenage beauty. In order to be close to her, he marries her mother, the lonely and pathetically pretentious Charlotte (Shelley Winters) only for her to expire conveniently, leaving Humbert free to embark on a motel-to-motel trek across America with Lolita in tow, evading suspicions that theirs is more than a father-daughter relationship. Peter Sellers, meanwhile, gives a Dr Strangelove-typetour de forceperformance as Clare Quilty, a TV writer also in pursuit of Lolita, who harasses Humbert under several guises, including a psychiatrist.As a movie,Lolitais flawed, albeit interestingly so. The sexual innuendo (a summer camp called Camp Climax, for example) seems jarring and pointless, while Sellers' comic turn detracts from any sense of guilt, tension or tragedy. It's as if the real purpose of the film is to offer a sort of silent, mocking laughter at the wretched Humbert and systematically divest him of his dignity. By the end, he is a babbling wretch while Sue Lyons' Lolita is pragmatic and self-possessed. It's Mason and Lyons' performances, which lift the film from its mess of structural difficulties. Decades on, their central relationship still makes for pitifully compulsive viewing.On the DVD:Few extras, sadly, though the brief original trailer is excellent, built around the question, "How could they make a film out ofLolita?". The original black and white picture and mono sound are excellent. --David Stubbs
Lolita (Kubrick 1962) DVD
Humbert is smitten. He plans to marry Charlotte Haze. That way he’ll always be close ... more
to his dear one - Charlotte’s precocious daughter! Filmmaker Stanley Kubrick explores the theme of sexual obsession (a subject he would revisit 37 years later in Eyes Wide Shut) with this darkly comic and deeply moving version of Vladimir Nabokov’s novel. James Mason plays devious deluded Humbert: wedded to needy Charlotte (Shelley Winters); rivaled by the ubiquitous Clare Quilty (chameleonlike Peter Sellers); and enraptured to his gelatinous core by the blithe teen (Sue Lyon) with that "lovely lyrical lilting name" - Lolita!
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Michael Radford - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Lynn Collins, Joseph Fiennes, Jeremy Irons, Al Pacino
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Istvan Szabo - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Annette Bening, Maury Chaykin, Jeremy Irons, Michael Gambon, Bruce Greenwood
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 1981 - Drama - Director: Franco Zeffirelli - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Brooke Shields, Martin Hewitt, Shirley Knight, Don Murray, Richard Kiley, Penelope Milford, Beatrice Straight
A review by sghawken on Lolita (DVD) March 30th, 2008
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Liked it
Story
Good
Characters / Performances
Good
Special Effects
Standard
How does it compare to similar films?
Good
Advantages:
Better than the original (WHAT I hear you cry)
Disadvantages:
A little ill paced
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
In 1962 Stanley Kubrick bought the movie Lolita to the screen, now I'm sure i'm going to offend the world when I say that the 1997 movie, widely praised and widely condemned is a far better movie; why have I gone to this extreme? Read on....
Humbert Humbert (Jeremy Irons) takes some time out of work moving to a small town in order to work on a text book, but when he arrives at his lodgings he finds they have burned to the ground. Luckily Humbert finds himself in the household of Charlotte Haze (Melanie Griffith) and her teenage daughter Lolita (Dominique Swain) proper name Delores. Humbert is strangely drawn to Lolita, her girlish ways, devastating beauty, and heady sexuality; but as Lolita is just 13 years old Humbert must restrain himself. As he finds himself closer into the family circle Humbert engages in a romance with Charlotte, not through choice but to keep him close to Lolita. When the truth is rumbled though, and Charlotte discovers that Humbert is only with her to be close to her daughter, things begin to change suddenly.
Lolita is a tale about a 40 something year old man who falls in love with a 13 year old girl, there is little humour in such a serious situation, and while Kubrick's 1962 version addressed the severity of the subject, to some level he also played the subject for laughs, restrictions of that time in cinema history being a likely cause. 9 ½ Weeks director Adrian Lyne took Vladamir Nabakov's novel and played it out far more accurately, while there is humour, its playful humour as part of the seduction of the two leads; falling in love with a minor is a serious subject and Lyne's version fully appreciates this choosing to avoid cheap quaffs, and giving more focus to Lolita's sexuality.
Set in 1950's America, you can clearly understand that there are factors beyond the intimacy to deal with, a prime example being how the relationship (which is a ways a secret) is viewed through the eyes of others. As a result Iron's plays his character in an edgy manner, fully aware that being caught out in his despicable acts could take him down lines that are far more dangerous for him.
Lolita after a fairly whimsical opening gets down to the raw intensity of the story quickly, from the flirtations, and the dismissal of the same flirtations, it suddenly erupts into a sexual romance between the two. Lolita's sexual wants, and a combination of her willingness to experience a world of sex beyond Hubert, soon turns this movie down a very dark passage as the two characters relationship turns sinisterly volatile. Passion makes way for paranoia and this is an aspect that Jeremy Irons as an actor is so incredibly good at, despite how badly he might handle a variety of other emotions.
Dominique Swain, (an actress seldom used recently but one that is coming back to the forefront after a recent splurge of movie roles) shines as the teenage seductress. Displaying the required amount of sexuality and innocence she far outshines Sue Lyon's performance in the 62 movie. She dominates every scene.
But it's the creepy Clare Quilty played by one time Skeletor (Masters Of The Universe) Frank Langella that makes this movie so incredibly dark. Most of the movie he is hardly seen, muttering away words in the dark, playing a character who could easily be the devil; Langella does bad so incredibly well and this is a darkness that the late Peter Sellers simply could not deliver in the 1962 original. Quilty like Humbert is drawn into a creepy dark world like Humbert was, taking the movies final moments down a dark path that makes everything else in the movie seem pale in comparison.
The 1997 version of Lolita is a far more psychological piece than its predecessor focusing on the raw emotion that you might feel with anyone you were in a relationship with when you feel they have betrayed you, or at the very least are playing some very adult mind games with you. And here lies the magic of Lolita, it's most intelligent, most manipulative, and deadly character of the whole movie should theoretically be the most innocent.
Lolita is far from being what I would class as a good movie; it's fairly long, its story drawn out. But it's an acceptable movie; it shows you a world you know exists though might not want to admit too. I have seen the movie 3 times since its release, the recent viewing being the most tired looking. This being said I remember being inspired to some level by it 10 years ago during a first viewing; it's a film that deserves to be seen but not necessarily more than once.
Special Features:-
A commentary by Adrian Lyne helps you to understand the changes between the Nabakov's novel, Kubricks original and his own depiction. He addresses issues such as casting, telling the hunt to find the new Lolita, while addressing the criticism and praise of the movie's release.
A casting session shows Jeremy Iron's audition.
A featurette made during filming looks at the movie, but draws no comparisons to previous movie almost as if it's saying Kubrick's version never existed.
There are a series of deleted and never before seen sequences, but as usual nothing here to get excited about.
Finally a series of text biographies and the original US trailer for the movie.
Lolita (1997) is available on the Columbia label priced a respectable £5.99.
Advantages: riveting story; Swain and Irons; musical score Disadvantages: may be disturbing
...cinematic release of Stanley Kubrick’s Lolita (I’m not too eager to do so), but I am glad I watched this latest release by Lyne. It is absolutely amazing. I didn’t think I would feel sympathy for the man, but I certainly did when he was faced with the mesmerizing strains of this flute, composed ingenuously by fifteen-year-old Dominique Swain, still wearing braces and chewing gum. You too won’t be able to help it, just like member PKWBassGuy humorously ... ...Delores, nicknamed Lo and subsequently Lolita by the man. As the young widow Griffiths is nicely appealing, but while she becomes attracted to the man, he is captivated by her innocent, beautiful daughter so lovingly embraced by the camera. Lo at first smiles openly with no seductiveness, but as she becomes aware of his fascination with her that he tries so much to hide from her and her mother, she begins to flirt with a joyful abandon. She’s rebellious ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
...versions of Vladimir Nabokov's story Lolita provided the opportunity to compare such an event and unlike in the case of Planet of The Apes, this was not a film that would be messed about with merely to appease the audience. Even though I wasn't overly sold on Stanley Kubrick's original, could a remake actually improve on it, or would the remake monster claim yet another worthless victim?
Having some time before his new teaching assignment begins, ... ...stay, Humbert is spellbound by Lolita and eventually marries Charlotte just to be near to the object of his desire. Fate conspires against him though and Lolita is sent away to summer school and Charlotte reveals that following summer school it'll be a series of boarding schools and colleges. With Charlotte dying in an unavoidable accident, Humbert retrieves Lolita and the pair settle down posing as father and daughter. Is their love genuine or is ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Fantastic portrayal of an excellent book Disadvantages: 'delicate' issues delat with
...she holds over him.
Lolita is a powerful film, shot beautifully from the point of view of Humbert Humbert. The actors have been well cast, and portray their characters admirably.
This film is definitely worth a watch, although some may not like the idea of the issues it deals with. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Amazing film, quality extras, wonderful acting, beautiful story Disadvantages: Extras are few, otherwise it's a brilliant buy.
With Lolita, Adrian Lyne has done something a bit unusual. He has taken a staggeringly good novel and created from it a film which doesn't let you down. The story is one of a young boy in France who falls in love with a girl who abruptly dies. The pain of the loss haunts him through his life and he eventually finds himself living with a woman and her daughter. He focuses his haunted heart on the 12 year old Dolores. From here a story of love, crime, ... ...taken along a route which may seem morally dubious but is beautifully bittersweet, touching and tragic. There are many things to say about this film. Firstly, the performance of the actors is brilliant. Jeremy Irons is absoultely wonderful and really carries the character. He IS Humbert. Dominique Swain is also great and doesn't miss a trick. I really enjoyed the inclusion of Frank Langella as Quilty as he gives a great performance and really shows ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: controversial film Disadvantages: not sure if it is a fair representation of the novel
Lolita is controversial film. Its unpredictability keeps the audience on the edge of their seats throughout. Based on Vladimir Nabokov's novel, the film centres on two characters; academic Humbert Humbert and coy Lolita Haze. Other characters such as mother Charlotte, serve merely as pawns in Humbert's game to play for the top prize - Lolita herself.
The tension the viewer feels stems from the fact that we are encouraged to sympathise with Humbert ... ...natural uneasiness aroused by the sight of an older man having a sexual relationship with a girl who is young enough to be his daughter. The film is enjoyable, but there is nevertheless something missing from it. Perhaps the character of Lolita's mother could be more credible. She is written off the script far too quickly and it is if her fate is almost too convenient. Yet the film has a thought-provoking theme and is worth a
watch. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
...While Stanley Kubrick may be gone from this mortal coil, his work lives on. When his name is mentioned most will immediately think of 2001, Full Metal Jacket or even A Clockwork Orange (and for film fanatics, perhaps Dr Strangelove). Anyone familiar with cinema will know that this is simply not the case and while Kubrick may not have been the most prolific of directors he did make more films than many may remember him for. Never one to shy away from the sensitive or disturbing, it now seems only natural that Kubrick would be drawn to the Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita...
Professor Humbert Humbert finds himself in smalltown USA renting a room from widow Charlotte and her daughter Lolita. Spellbound by Lolita, Humbert marries Charlotte just to be near to the object of his desire but fate conspires against him and she is sent away to summer...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: I cant begin to explain how amazing this film is. Disadvantages: None
...I cannot imagine any other director making this film and Kubrick did an amazing job making the book into an outstanding movie. Although the film can't capture the mental gymnastics Humbert goes through, it still shows his trauma's of going through life with Lolita around him. As always the film has Kubricks picturesque beauty which can make any man or women weep in joy. The film is a bit of a romantic comedy but there are a lot of serious issues on morality, ethics, justice, and solipsism.
Another thing I love about Kubrick's films is that you can watch them after so many many years and find something new and riveting to sink your teeth into. Its a film that has and will stand the test of time as being an amazingly deep and consistent film.
It would be highly offensive if you died not seeing this film!
5/5...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Plot: A schoolteacher marries his landlady so that he can be closer to her daughter, who reminds him of a time in childhood when he was thirteen and in love with a twelve year old girl staying at his father's hotel. Adapated from the novel by Vladimir Nabokov.
Remake Of: Lolita ( 1962 United States of America )
Release details
DVD Region: DVD
Studio(s): PATHE DISTRIBUTION; 20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Release date: 08/05/2000
No of Discs: 1
Catalogue No: P 8877 DVD
Barcode: 5060002830307
Screenwriter: Stephen Schiff
Author: Vladimir Nabokov
Editor: David Brenner
Languages
Main Language: English
DVD Description
Lyne (FATAL ATTRACTION) tries his hand at a more faithful adaptation of Nabokov's novel than Kubrick was allowed to attempt in 1962. In the process, Irons gives an amazing, tortured performance as Humbert Humbert, the professor who can not control his physical desires for 12 year-old Dolores Haze (Swain). Swain also turns in an exceptional performance as the title character. Controversy surrounded the production to the point where it languished, completed, on the shelf, for almost 2 years looking for an American distributor. The film had a successful European run before making its American debut on the Showtime cable network, and finally, to a limited art house run.
Technical information
Special Features: Audio Commentary - 1. Adrian Lyne - Director, Bonus Footage - 1. Casting Session with Jeremy Irons, 2. Never Before Seen Footage, Featurette, Trailer - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer, Interactive Menus, Scene Access, Biographies
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Professional reviews
Review: "...Swain's performance as Lolita is the main reason to see this movie. She comes amazingly close to the nymphet described by Nabokov..." (Movieline, p.48, 01/09/1998)
"...Irons give a performance of sustained wit and cogent remorse..." (Rolling Stone, p.108, 03/09/1998)
"...LOLITA is a comic romp, an amusing escapade..." (Sight and Sound, p.51-2, 01/05/1998)
![Lolita [DVD] [1998]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78543380.jpg)
![Lethal Lolita [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78501414.jpg)
![Lolita [1962] [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78539124.jpg)
29.06.2009
