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Jeremy Irons, Melanie Griffith, Frank Langella, Dominique Swain, Suzanne Shepherd ... see more see more... , Keith Reddin , Erin J. Dean

Adapted from the novel by Vladimir Nabokov (previously filmed by Stanley Kubrick in 1962), Lolita stars Jeremy Irons as Humbert Humbert, a college literature professor. In early adolescence, Humbert f... read more read more...ell hopelessly and tragically in love with a girl his own age, and, as he grew into adulthood, he never lost his obsession with "nymphets," teenagers who walk a fine line between being a girl and a woman. While looking for a place to live after securing a new teaching position, he meets Charlotte Haze (Melanie Griffith), a pretentious and annoying woman who seems desperately lonely and is obviously attracted to Humbert. Humbert pays her little mind until he meets her 13-year-old daughter Lolita (Dominique Swain), the image of the girl that Humbert once loved. Humbert moves into the Haze home as a boarder and eventually marries Charlotte in order to be closer to Lolita. When Charlotte finds out about Humbert's attraction to her daughter, she flees the house in a rage, only to be killed in an auto accident. Without telling Lolita of her mother's fate, Humbert takes her on a cross-country auto trip, where their relationship begins to move beyond the traditional boundaries of stepfather and step-daughter. Lolita proved to be controversial in the United States due to its clear (if not explicit) depiction of sex between a middle-aged man and an underaged girl; no major studio was willing to release it in America, and it finally had its U.S. premiere on the Showtime cable network. This version, directed by Adrian Lyne, was publicized as being more faithful to Nabokov's book than Stanley Kubrick's adaptation (which was scripted by Nabokov himself); however, it manages to be closer to the letter of the novel without capturing its spirit and tone as well as Kubrick did. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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73% liked it

21,097 ratings

Critics

67% liked it

21 critics

R, 2 hr. 17 min.

Directed by: Adrian Lyne

Release Date: September 27, 1997

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DVD Release Date: June 29, 1999

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Stats: 1,107 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,107)

  • moonrivers
    December 9, 2011
    moonrivers
    Nabakov's insightful questioning of the values of modern Western culture are still wonderfully hidden in this take on his still discomforting tale about living your dream, about the myth of having it all. Excellent turns by the cast almost give one to forget the mischevious, ind... read moreelicate way the subject is approached. The puzzle here is that Nabakov's ( and the original film's ) "you-know-I'm-joking, right, just-making-a-point?" wink at you is replaced by Lyne's decision to simply tell the tale straight, w/o any curves at all ... is that a good or a bad thing? Its certainly more terrifying.
  • StarCrossedVoyager
    October 10, 2011
    StarCrossedVoyager
    I expected it to be much more disturbing, however since it was Lolita who started all their exploits it wasn't as creepy or perverted. Saying that, it was uncomfortable to watch at times especially with the great performances by Irons and Swain. The character of Lolita was very w... read moreell done as she acted incredibly childish and immature for her age but then suddenly switched when she wanted something. She knew exactly what she was doing. I sort of felt sorry for Humbert as she was blatantly playing him and he fell for it because of his past. However, he still shouldn't have given in to his desires and they both got what they deserved in the end.
  • theunknownhobo
    July 17, 2011
    theunknownhobo
    Where do I even start with this movie?! I seem to have fallen into a trap of late of watching movies that seem to have this child/adult love theme. I had the book for ages and never read it, resigning myself to watch the movie before hand (which is something I very rarely do) and... read more I am happy I did because now I could not imagine the characters as anyone but those in movie. Jeremy Irons again perfection, his narrative in this film haunting and resonant even if there were moments when I wondered why the hell I was watching it! Kinda slow, but never dull.
  • 76Majikat
    September 23, 2010
    76Majikat
    The remake of the hugely controversial film, original Directed by Stanley Kubrick and taken from the novel by Vladimir Nabokov.

    As remakes go, the general view tends to be that the original is best in most cases, not in this one, or at least not for me.

    It?s very difficult ... read morenot to feel uncomfortable watching parts of this film because of the nature of the story, but Jeremy Irons was extremely impressive, with a wonderful performance from Jeremy Irons as Humbert and a great role played by Dominique Swain as Lolita too, both controversial roles.

    The view of this unspeakable romance being told through a Writers eyes, almost tries to justify to justify his acting upon his feelings and instincts. What I also liked about this version was seeing the perspective from each person involved, rather telling the story just through one set of eyes.

    For the first time I could see this story through the young girl?s eyes, like many girls her age having feelings for an older man and the innocence of how those feelings could come across to somebody else and be used to manipulate situations, debates are a must for this film.
  • kiriyamakazou
    September 4, 2009
    kiriyamakazou
    Lolita is a fascinating and brave tale. It doesn't excuse the actions of it's protagonists, but explores the emotions within the characters that drive them. Lyne is a brave man attempting a story that Kubrick handled so brilliantly, but you never feel like this film is in competi... read moretion with that version. Lyne brings a lot of his own talents to the film. Given the time (the 90's) and Lyne's track record, he is more at home exploring the sexual/sensual side to the relationship. It never becomes graphic or excessive, and Lyne's restraint makes it a powerful watch. Irons gives a perfect performance (much like Mason) but in no way is he cut from the same cloth. Irons seems less fatherly until later on, he also seems less sleazy, but perhaps that is just Mason's voice. Swain's debut is one of great confidence, she does innocent, playful, teasing, manipulative and evil. Morricone's saddening score, just adds deeper layers to even more complex scenes. Lolita is great because here is a film where both protagonists are the victim and the culprit.
  • ajaymuthecooldevils
    October 9, 2008
    ajaymuthecooldevils
    Well, I must admit that the writer of this movie, which is a based on novel movie, is a brilliant writer... He can make a simple story, about an adult man who obsessed with a young girl, into an interesting story to watch... The film itself just okay, even I'm not read the book, ... read morebut at least I know that the book will be greater than the movie... Jeremy Irons, the only stars played in this movie, gave a good performance... He really really shows his capacity as an old Hollywood star.... Dominique Swain, who made her big improvement for her career, was particularly show a great acting... She just looks like the young Scarlett Johansson with some talent, she can be a promised young actress if she just chooses the right movie... This Lolita movie was a good movie, but too bad it just an independent movie... It can't fly Dominique Swain career on movie industry, despite the fact that she was show a great acting here... Overall, it a great movie and a really good watch...
  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    April 6, 2007
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    Excellent remake.
  • nuheart
    December 27, 2006
    nuheart
    I'll stick with Kubrick's version.
  • mjgildea
    November 5, 2006
    mjgildea
    Superbly cast and more faithful to the novel. I just like Kubrick's version way more.
  • SarahG1988
    September 19, 2006
    SarahG1988
    I really enjoyed this one more-so than than Kubrick's version. Irons was a far more convincing Humbert, and Swann played Loltia amazingly well and convinced me she was the age they mentioned in this film.
    The film deals with the topic of paedophila well and throughout the ... read morefilm you begin to symphathise with Humbert,but you don't realise it. The film was incredibly emotional and almost made me cry! Now I am going to read the book

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Critic Reviews

David Nusair
May 10, 2003
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...the performances hit the right notes... Full Review

James Sanford
December 19, 2002
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

Irons is excellent, but the film is a real cold shower

Philip Martin
July 31, 2002
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

...any film of Lolita is bound to disappoint the few who insist on the primacy of Nabokov's novel Full Review

Ed Kelleher
January 1, 2000
Ed Kelleher, Film Journal International

Lyne's update on this comic, bittersweet tale benefits mightily from a clever screenplay by Stephen Schiff and terrific performances by the movie's two leads. Full Review

Widgett Walls
January 1, 2000
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com

The film is remarkably...disturbing. There's no other way to put it. Full Review

Shane Burridge
January 1, 2000
Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews

Unlike Kubrick's cool, black comedy, Lyne's LOLITA displays a much broader emotional tapestry

Michael Dequina
January 1, 2000
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

With its distant earnestness and leisurely pace, it might as well have been a Merchant Ivory production. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
April 27, 2007
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

Click to read the article Full Review

April 12, 2002
Globe and Mail

Click to read the article Full Review

Kenneth Turan
February 14, 2001
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

Click to read the article Full Review

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Lolita Trivia

  • Rumor has it, the relationship between Charlie Chaplin and Lita Grey was the basis of a book by Vladimir Nabokov. This book was turned into one of the most controversial movies ever. Which movie was it?  Answer »
  • name the director of Lolita and 2001?  Answer »
  • Which one of these Stanley Kubrick films was based on a novel of the same name?  Answer »
  • The famous heart shaped sunglasses from Stanley Kubrick's Lolita weren't worn in the film, only publicity shots.  Answer »
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