Year: 1962
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Country: US
Language: English
Stanley Kubrick is one of the greatest directors in the history of cinema, alongside such greats as Alfred Hitchcock (Vertigo) and Martin Scorsese (Raging Bull). His well known directing abilities have won him countless awards. Endless praise is given by fans and critics alike to his 2001: A Space Odyssey and Dr.Strangelove. He has had an enduring appeal that has stood the test of time. Which is one of the many reasons I was drawn to Lolita, a film that I would argue is his second best next to 2001.
Based on a novel by Vladimir Nabakov, Lolita is about a man named Humbert Humbert (James Mason), a divorced British professor of French literature, who allows himself to pursue a relationship with the widowed Charlotte Haze (Shelly Winters). He marries her only because he thinks it will be easier to pursue her 14 year old daughter Lolita (Sue Lyon) whom he is infatuated with. However, he seems to be thwarted by the devious Claire Quilty (Peter Sellers).
One admirable trait about Stanely Kubrick is that he never made two films that were alike. Lolita, 2001: A Space Odyssey and A Clockwork Orange (made within a decade of each other) are so different that you wouldn't be able to tell Kubrick directed them judging on the films alone. How did they ever make a film about Lolita? The film's tagline rings truth as everything about this film is incredibly controversial for 1962. The story is full of taboo, and it's shocking yet somewhat subtle. We never see all the dirty bits, yet we know it happened. We can see lust and passion in each character's eyes. We can see James Mason's insanity unfold upon the screen and all with Kubrick's camera.
Peter Sellers never misses a beat as the sex crazed, chameleon-like Claire Quilty. He is nefarious and creepy yet you feel somewhat sympathetic for him. Almost an un-inhibited alter ego of Humbert Humbert. James Mason also fits the role well, I've always thought his accent could be used in a rather scary way and thus it is here. The acting by all the cast is rather sensational, I'm surprised that this film isn't as highly praised as Kubrick's other work.
In conclusion, Lolita is a brilliant film about the dark side of passion and ambition. It is about sinister love and the dangers for falling for a person who is not that mature. In a way, every character in this film acts like a child and everybody resolves their issues in an immature manner which leads to devastation and doom. There's a lot of humour for a film about pedophilia, and it has me laughing more and more. Praise it! 5/5
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