Lolita (1997)

An English professor falls for a minor , and has to face the consequences of his actions.

Director:

Adrian Lyne

Writers:

Vladimir Nabokov (novel), Stephen Schiff (screenplay)

Stars:

Jeremy Irons, Dominique Swain, Melanie Griffith

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeremy Irons	...	Humbert Humbert
Melanie Griffith	...	Charlotte Haze
Frank Langella	...	Clare Quilty
Dominique Swain	...	Dolores 'Lolita' Haze
Suzanne Shepherd	...	Miss Pratt
Keith Reddin	...	Reverend Rigger
Erin J. Dean	...	Mona
Joan Glover	...	Miss LaBone
Pat Pierre Perkins	...	Louise (as Pat P. Perkins)
Ed Grady	...	Dr. Melinik
Michael Goodwin	...	Mr. Beale
Angela Paton	...	Mrs. Holmes
Ben Silverstone	...	Young Humbert Humbert
Emma Griffiths Malin	...	Annabel Lee (as Emma Griffiths-Malin)
Ronald Pickup	...	Young Humbert's Father

Storyline

In early adolescence, Humbert fell 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 ...

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Plot Keywords:

older man young girl relationship | 14 year old | teenage girl | death of mother | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

A forbidden love. An unthinkable attraction. The ultimate price.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for aberrant sexuality, a strong scene of violence, nudity and some language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Over 2500 girls, including Christina Ricci and Melissa Joan Hart, tried out for the title role.

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Goofs

Lolita and a schoolmate leave each other with "See you later, alligator / In a while, crocodile," an exchange about a decade too early.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Humbert: [voiceover] She was Lo, plain Lo, in the morning, standing four feet ten in one sock. She was Lola in slacks, she was Dolly at school. She was Dolores on the dotted line. But in my arms she was always - Lolita. Light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin. My soul.
[whispered]
Humbert: Lolita.

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Crazy Credits

After the credits are over there is a brief clip where Lolita is shown juggling a red apple.

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Alternate Versions

Though Dawn Mauer was used as a body double for all nude scenes featuring Lolita (Dominique Swain), director Adrian Lyne bowed to public pressure and cut all of them from the film for its U.S. release. They reportedly exist in its original European release.

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Connections

References A Place in the Sun (1951)

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Soundtracks

Tim-Tayshun
Written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown
Performed by Jo Stafford (as Cinderella G. Stump) and Red Ingle & His Natural Seven

User Reviews

A unique film forever!

Lolita 1997 is definitely more than just a film.It is a mixture of nostalgia,exoticism,idyllic depictions ,tranquil sceneries and yet the aberrant love in desperation.Controversial theme as it may convey, it's acceptable on the whole.After all ,it is Lolita as it has always been...Never will we forget the cute ,naughty and giggling girl... Whilst the love between the minor and her stepfather may have been paid much attention to,I myself was totally enthralled by the dreamy long trip all over the country.What a great trip!I just can't help letting out a cry-absolutely!Along the trip, we can see the luxuriantly green rainforest, breathtaking blue sky and imposing mountains in the remote countryside.Meanwhile ,it's those quaint inns and gasoline stations that add strong local color and nostalgia to the film.So amazing...

Details

Country:

France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 September 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lolita

Filming Locations:

New Orleans Athletic Club, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$62,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,492, 26 July 1998

Gross USA:

$1,071,255

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,071,255

Company Credits

Production Co:

Guild, Lolita Productions, Pathe UK

Technical Specs

Runtime:

137 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1