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To begin – this is a highly
controversial film as everyone would know but to me, even though it was very
disturbing and made me feel extremely uncomfortable I pretty much thought it
was an excellent film.
The film begins when Humbert
(Jeremy Irons) decides to rent a room at the house of Charlotte Haze (Melanie
Griffith). Initially he declines the room but after he lays eyes on
Charlotte’s 14 year old daughter Lolita (Dominique Swain) in the garden, he
swiftly changes his mind and can’t wait to commence his stay with them.
Humbert becomes absolutely infatuated with Lolita and this then results in a
marriage to Charlotte (who thinks he is madly in love with her) so he can keep
a keen eye on Lolita. Humbert manages to get out of all his marital duties by
drugging his wife every night to avoid having to make love to her. He cannot
stand Charlotte and finds her an unattractive, immature woman who throws
temper tantrums like a child.
During their marriage Humbert
often jokes (more so hopes) that his wife may somehow be taken out of the
equation so he can have a life with Lolita. His joke comes true when Charlotte
is hit by a car and killed on impact. Humbert then begins his road trip on an
emotional spiral down to immorality when he pulls Lolita out of boarding
school and they travel around the country stopping in motels and launching
Lolita’s sexual awakening.
The best part of this movie is
the portrayal of Lolita played by Dominique Swain. She is brilliant! To me
Lolita wasn’t meant to be a manipulative, thoughtful woman trying to seduce a
man (her stepfather), she was just a silly little schoolgirl who got herself
into trouble and entered her sexual journey the wrong (very wrong) way.
The wooden
spoon for acting in this movie has got to go to Melanie Griffith. I’m not sure
if it’s totally “bad” acting or the fact that she is so damn annoying.
Everything about her portrayal was annoying, the whining, the screeching and
the manner in which she delivered her nonsense.
Done in widescreen and is quite
good, however throughout the movie certain parts seem very grainy and annoyed
me from the beginning.
The film uses Dolby Digital 5.1
and is great. The opening scene is an example where Hump arrives on a train
and it sounds excellent. The narration by Humbert is clear and easy to listen
to, he has a very soothing but sad way in which he speaks throughout the film
and I cannot think of a better actor to play the part.
Extras were great; especially the
casting sessions where you can understand why Dominique and Jeremy play the
parts they do because they are fantastic!
Special features include:
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Commentary by Adrian Lyne
(Director)
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Casting Session with Jeremy
Irons and Dominique Swain
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Deleted never before seen
scenes.
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Theatrical trailer
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