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Lolita
1962 154 min United Kingdom, United States of America 18+
★7.9
Drama, Comedy
Director: Stanley Kubrick
🎭 Based on
«Lolita»
byVladimir Nabokov
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
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.
Budget:
$2M
Worldwide:
$9.25M
Starring
James Mason
Actor
Shelley Winters
Actor
Sue Lyon
Actor
Awards
BAFTA 1963
— Best British Actor
Academy Awards 1963
— Best Adapted Screenplay
Golden Globe 1963
— Best Actress (Drama)
Golden Globe 1963
— Best Director
Golden Globe 1963
— Best Supporting Actor
Venice Film Festival 1962
— Golden Lion
Golden Globe 1963
— Best Actor (Drama)
Key opinion
Stanley Kubrick's 1962 adaptation of Lolita is regarded as a bold, formally innovative piece of cinema that stands as a unique companion to the novel. While critics praise the sharp dialogue, strong performances, and striking black-and-white cinematography, it remains divisive for its significant departure from the source material's darker, erotic tone due to censorship constraints.
| Acting | The performances are widely acclaimed, with James Mason's internal struggle and Shelley Winters' portrayal of Charlotte Haze receiving particular praise. | |
| Cinematography | The black-and-white cinematography provides an elegant, effective visual language that complements the film's psychological tone. | |
| Adaptation | The adaptation is significantly altered from the source, with many viewers finding it lacks the novel’s depth, perverse intensity, and emotional weight. | |
| Acting | Opinions on Peter Sellers' portrayal of Quilty are divided: some view his manic, expanded performance as a highlight, while others find it over-the-top and implausibly disruptive to the film's narrative. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing and length are contentious, with some finding the runtime excessive and the narrative momentum sluggish, while others appreciate the contemplative tempo. | |
| Acting | The casting of Sue Lyon as Lolita is debated, as some viewers argue she appears too mature to effectively convey the character's intended youth and vulnerability. |