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:

Watch it and make up your own mind.

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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

Jeremy Irons originally turned down the role because he knew playing this character would hurt his career. After thinking it over and being convinced by Glenn Close that working with Adrian Lyne was an experience he should not miss, he agreed to play Humbert Humbert. However, he made sure to secure a good paycheck, anticipating a few years of possible unemployment.

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Goofs

Reflected in the car window as the car rolls away.

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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

The film was slightly cut to avoid a 'Not under 18' rating in Germany. An uncut version has been released on video.

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Connections

Referenced in Riverdale: Chapter Four: The Last Picture Show (2017)

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Soundtracks

I'm In The Mood For Love
Written by Dorothy Fields and Jimmy McHugh
Performed by Vera Lynn

User Reviews

Amazing, but disturbing

I'm not sure about my opinion on this movie. It was definetly interesting, to say the least. I haven't read the novel yet, however I will, as soon as I have the chance to do so. What made me unsure is the storyline, as it was very disturbing for me, many scenes caused me discomfort. It has gone to the point that I had to stop watching the movie 30 minutes in, and continued it in another time when I was alone, because for some reason I felt quilty while watching it. Aside from this, I actually found the storyline to be well written, and I liked it. When I saw this movie I was around the same age as Dolores so maybe for that reason it was really meaningful to me. In conclusion I surprisingly enjoyed the movie, even though i've felt uncomfortable many times in the proccess of watching it.

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