Lolita (1997)
Humbert Humbert is a middle-aged British novelist who is both appalled by and attracted to the vulgarity of American culture. When he comes to stay at the boarding house run by Charlotte Haze, he soon becomes obsessed with Lolita, the woman's teenaged daughter.
Details
Budget
$62,000,000
Rating
7/10 (1814 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Pathé, Lolita Productions
About Lolita
Adrian Lyne's 1997 film "Lolita" adapts Vladimir Nabokov's controversial novel, exploring themes of obsession, lust, and the disturbing dynamics within an older man-younger woman relationship. The movie follows Humbert Humbert, a British novelist who becomes fixated on the teenaged daughter of his landlady, Lolita, after moving into her boarding house.
The narrative delves into Humbert's perspective, portraying his infatuation and the ensuing road trip that highlights the complex and unsettling nature of their bond. The film's genres are primarily drama and romance, while its keywords include elements like jealousy, blackmail, seduction, and the specific depiction of an older man younger woman relationship, as well as sex with a minor.
The film garnered a mixed reception, with a 69% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 46/100 on Metacritic. Despite the divisive opinions, it maintains a vote average of 7 out of 10 on TMDB from over 1800 votes, and a 6.8 on IMDb. Its runtime is 137 minutes.
Why you might be searching for Lolita
People are searching for "Lolita" due to its provocative themes, specifically the depiction of an older man's obsession with a young girl. Search queries often reference the unsettling nature of the relationship, the seduction, and the explicit content surrounding underage characters, often trying to recall specific scenes or similar controversial films.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer found the film to be a haunting and provocative adaptation of the novel, noting that its pacing felt appropriate for its two-hour length, with every scene contributing meaningfully to the story.
Read the full reviewThe script was praised for its fidelity to Nabokov's novel, capturing the complexity of Humbert's character and the disturbing relationship dynamics. Jeremy Irons' narration was highlighted for providing insight into Humbert's perspective while keeping the uncomfortable reality in view.
Read the full reviewThe cinematography was noted for its effectiveness, particularly its visual focus on Lolita's legs and feet, which subtly mirrored the detailed and fetishistic descriptions found in Nabokov's book, connecting to her youth and innocence.
Read the full review