Review of Lolita (1962) by Brandon V — 25 Jan 2009

Very ahead of its time, with an absolutely knock-out debut by Sue Lyon who was only 14. Peter Sellers is excellent, playing multiple roles much like he later would in "Dr. Strangelove". James Mason's performance is oddly one-note until the final act, where we almost feel some sympathy for the hopeless man.

Kubrick's love of long shots and measured pacing is in full evidence, and there are some excellent symbolic choices made (the bullet holes in the painting of the young woman stuck out at me). Overall, this is not his most passionate effort, and you can tell he really wanted to show more of the relationship between Humbert and Lolita that the censors wouldn't allow. There are more than enough memorable performances and effective dramatic moments to draw us through the slightly bloated running time, though.