Review 'Lolita' (1997)
Arguably one of the most controversial films of its decade, Adrian Lyne's 'Lolita' is a captivating adaptation of the highly acclaimed Vladimir Nabokov's 1955 novel of the same title. Comparing Lyne's adaptation to the earlier Stanley Kubrick's 'Lolita' of 1962, I was rather surprised to much prefer Lyne's take on the story. Considering how sexual a lot of Stanley Kubrick's films are, his version of Lolita is restrained in the sexual aspects of the story, failing to go where its story begs for it to go to. It fades to black in key sequences, and lets the audience imagine what is happening between Professor Humbert and Lolita. I feel as though director Adrian Lyne decided he wanted to do another take on Nabokov’s novel, taking the detail further and really showcasing the powerful dynamic between the characters, and allowing the audience to feel moved by the unsettling storyline of an unorthodox and socially forbidden romance.
By now, the storyline of Lolita is as well-known as the controversy surrounding it. Humbert, a man in his 40's, falls in love with Lolita, a 14-year-old girl, and, needless to say, much trouble ensues. However, one aspect of the story that I found interesting is the way that throughout the film I began to feel sympathy towards the protagonist Humbert (Jeremy Irons). Despite him being a deceptive hebephile who married a woman to get closer to her daughter, it is Dominique Swain's character being portrayed as a manipulative nymphet that makes us question who really has the control in the relationship. One scene that really demonstrates this appears halfway through the film when Lolita is using her powers of persuasion against Humbert, hoping that he will double her weekly allowance. She compellingly glares into his eyes with a suggestive smile and gently caresses his inner thigh, knowing that he will eventually give into her wishes in order to pursue his own desires. This part of the scene is filmed almost entirely in close ups with a warm tone to the lighting which portrays the intimacy between the characters. I really enjoy Lyne’s directing style. He frames things perfectly and beautifully, but he also gets right in there in the action, making you feel as if you are right there in the movie with the characters. This particular scene may not necessarily be seen as one of the key points of the plot, but I personally believe it gives a vital insight into the control that Lolita has over Humbert, rather than it being the other way around as one might expect. Lolita requesting more money from Humbert, and him later revealing through narration that she is hiding the money she saves foreshadows the sympathy that we feel for Humbert when we later learn that she used the money to run away with the playwright Claire Quilty – leaving him heartbroken and desperate to find her again.
Another key scene that illustrates Humbert's love and desire for Lolita is towards the end of the film, set years later when upon receiving a letter from her he goes to visit her in order to gift her financial aid to help with her family. Despite learning that she is now married and expecting a child, he cannot help but beg for her to come back to him. Lyne even includes a narrated line straight from the novel in which Humbert says, "I looked and looked at her, and I knew, as clearly as I know that I will die, that I loved her more than anything I had ever seen or imagined on earth." This line is important in understanding Humbert's character as the fact that Lolita is now older and "only the dead-leaf echo of the nymphet from long ago" and yet he loves her still, shows that his feelings towards her are more serious than just the lust for a teenage girl. The coolness of the lighting tone works well to represent Humbert's sorrow, and contrasts to the warmth of the beginning of the movie where he first lays eyes on Lolita and is full of joy and wonder. Another feature that I liked was the use of the same song being played throughout the scene as earlier on in the film, in order to relate the audience's mind back to when Humbert was so happy compared to now.
To conclude, yes, the subject matter can be considered offensive. But the director, Adrian Lyne, has taken the controversial but highly acclaimed novel, and filmed the material in such a way that one would have to be awfully sensitive to be offended by anything in the movie. The delicacy with which the subject has been handled is a key element within Lolita. It's beautifully shot, and all the performances hit just the right notes. A true work of art.
5 Stars out of 5
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