tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post462432911409532659..comments2024-02-18T08:45:16.295-08:00Comments on The Film Connoisseur: Lolita (1962)Franco Macabrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-60801969182782605662019-05-18T11:42:43.289-07:002019-05-18T11:42:43.289-07:00Quilty is a completely amoral character. He is lik...Quilty is a completely amoral character. He is like this charismatic genious in a small town, living a debaucherious life. I don´t think he was trying to help, less protect Lolita. What he sees is an opportunity to be with Lolita. It is implied earlier in the movie that Lolita and him had something in the past, they´ve met before (meeting a even younger Lolita, barely in her teens), and by the curious Quilty´s expressions, you understand what type of interaction they had. This seems to be confirmed by Lolita by end of the movie.<br /><br />I didn´t read the book, probably those things are preaty clear in the book, but I believe Lolita is not inocent by the time she meet Humbert, she still is a child, though, and grown ups around her should have known better. It is a very unconfortable topic, and I was, like you, expecting something shocking coming from Kubrick, but also got to the same conclusion, the times didn´t allow it and, like you said, the whole plot is pretty shocking as it is. The "love" triangle, the lost of inocence, two male mature figures completely in lust, in a way coercing a child. One is a "normal" man who is lost in lust (and by no means innocent), the other, a calculated man, a man of world, a manipulator, for whom sex is a limitiless pleasure (implied by the flirting scene with the hotel mananger and later the "artistic movie" situation), can easly see what is happening between Lolita and Humbert. <br /><br />Seller´s Quilty is an interesting character in the movie, sort of out of the movie flow in a way, but makes him a puzzle, like he is an interesting dangerous man. What an antagonist (or maybe is because I´m obsessed with Peter Sellers lately). The charm, inteligence and talent is what attracs Lolita, which sort of make her leave behind her status of victim, but she still is. <br /> <br />Also, it is unconfortable to have the story told by Humbert´s perspective most of the time. Some moments its seems like we should have pitty for him. Creepy. <br /><br />For long I wasn´t too eager to watch this movie. The topic and the "romanticism" that I percived in the 90´s version, just makes want to throw away my hope for humanity. But I watched it such a long time ago. I´m not sure if this Lolita history really works to bring awareness but to soften the situation and the little child own experience (which is not explored at all). When you are inmersed in the perpetuators point of view only, it kind of justificies and romanticies his actions, because he is doing that for himself. <br /><br />Thank you for your great review. Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01966433095258039357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-79890041490932015892010-05-03T16:27:09.260-07:002010-05-03T16:27:09.260-07:00Excellent review. I especially liked the girl who...Excellent review. I especially liked the girl who played Lolita.Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08085105568601878075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-3118084932597953252010-05-03T13:12:14.192-07:002010-05-03T13:12:14.192-07:00@Jen: Totally agree with you, the performances wer...@Jen: Totally agree with you, the performances were awesome. The crazy mom, wow, when she tells Humbert, "if you told me you didnt believe in god, Id shoot myself!" how fucked up was that line?! <br /><br />So Adrian Lyne's version isnt as good as this one? Is it really a remake or just another take on the book? In any case, Im dying to see how that one turned out, that 1997 version has a solid cast as well!<br /><br />@Shaun: Damn, I guess I'll have to make it a priority! What I meant by my comments is that (based on my experience) most people have seen his most recognized films, but when it comes to Lolita or Barry Lyndon, not many know about them, or have seen them, and films before Lolita even less! <br /><br />But hey, Im on a quest to see all the Kubricks I havent seen, so expect a review for Barry Lyndon soon Shaun. <br /><br />Thanks for commenting!Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-74223028018696428042010-05-03T11:28:25.327-07:002010-05-03T11:28:25.327-07:00Great review Franco - I'm not a huge fan of LO...Great review Franco - I'm not a huge fan of LOLITA (either version), but the book is very good. Kubrick was hampered by the restrictions of the day, and Adrian Lyne's film had all the subtlety of a sledghammer. I was interested by your comments about BARRY LYNDON, I appear to be in a distinct minority - because it's my favourite Kubrick film. But im sure there must be some others out there who believe this to be his masterpiece.Shaun Anderson [The Celluloid Highway]https://www.blogger.com/profile/18066744649878418309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293273378239831747.post-82652059948211180112010-05-03T11:10:18.367-07:002010-05-03T11:10:18.367-07:00The performances in this film are just amazing, es...The performances in this film are just amazing, especially James Mason's obsessed, creepy Professor Humbert. Everytime I watch this film I find it more disturbing and more interesting! The remake doesn't hold a candle to this!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15029054484146348678noreply@blogger.com