Review of Lolita (1962) by Karl L — 23 Nov 2010
The movie's poster is more iconic than the movie which is not the masterpiece the book is (or nearly as explicit) but is still horribly funny with its two genius performances: Peter Sellers as ominous shape-shifting weirdo Claire Quilty (his amusing and pathetic death scene to open the movie is maybe Sellers' finest hour) and James Mason as sophisticated snob Humbert Humbert who uses a woman to get at her curious daughter, Lolita, who he wants to be both father and lover to.
Lolita manipulates him through and through, he's more of a victim than her, but he's also well aware of what he's getting himself into... or at least should be. Sue Lyon is both adorably and cruelly mischievous as Lolita and her helpless mother is Shelley Winters, appropriately pitiful.
Kubrick's casting is perfect as usual. The censoring of the book leaves much to the viewer's imagination so that they may be implicated in the crime... which is for this subject, on some levels, a pretty good thing.
This review of Lolita (1962) was written by Karl L on 23 Nov 2010.
Lolita has generally received very positive reviews.
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