 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Lolita
- Review Date: November 13, 2005
- NR
- Genre: Drama
- 1962
Common Sense Media says
Classic love story not for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie deals with an older man having a strong desire for a teen girl that leads to an affair. There is a shooting and a woman commits suicide by running in front of a car -- both are implied and off-screen.
What's the story?
Professor Humbert Humbert (James Mason) seeks a relaxing summer in the resort town of Ramsdale, New Hampshire, where he finds a room to rent in the house of a shrill, middle-aged widow, Charlotte Haze (Shelley Winters). He is immediately infatuated with her daughter, Lolita (Sue Lyon). Charlotte falls for Humbert, and he marries her to stay close to Lolita. When his new wife finds his diary containing his confession of love for Lolita, she commits suicide. Humbert pulls Lolita out of summer camp under the guise that her mother is sick and they need to return home. A long and somewhat tense road trip follows, where Humbert eventually seduces her and reveals the truth about her mother. Lolita, who had been enjoying his attention until this point, realizes the grave nature of her situation, and is forced to remain his concubine -- that is until a mysterious stranger pokes his nose in the affair, threatening to expose their illegal relationship to the world.
Is it any good?
Translating a controversial novel like LOLITA to the big screen was an incredible feat in 1962. Director Stanley Kubrick, working from author Vladimir Nabokov's own screenplay, was able to convey the forbidden thoughts and actions of Humbert without upsetting censors. While the film isn't remembered as one of Kubrick's best, it's quite engaging and even surprising in its ability to make viewers sympathize with an ill-intentioned character like Humbert.
Peter Sellers turns in a great performance, as Clare Quilty, taking on several different personas throughout the film to fool Humbert and gain access to Lolita -- a preview of his multiple roles in Kubrick's next film, Dr. Strangelove.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about representations of teen girl sexuality, from Lolita's sunglasses to Britney Spears' school girl uniform. Why do these images become popular in our culture? Do you think they are ever powerful -- or offensive?
In the end, is Lolita portayed as powerful or simply pathetic?
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 15 years old
January 28, 2009
AGE
One of my least favorte Kubrick films. Don't get me wrong, I like it, but it is flawed by the studio cuts do to the nature of the film. It can be seen as a preview for his next dark comedy, Dr. Stangelove.
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Teen, 13 years old
July 3, 2011
AGE
Lolita (Didn't know what else to call this review)
This may not be Kubrick's best work, but I love this film. And Lolita's infamous heart shaped sunglasses are just too cool. I actually went out and bought a pair of them after I saw this movie. Anyway, this is very good. However, I agree with the reviewer who said that it is flawed by the cuts that the studio made.
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Kid, 10 years old
May 30, 2010
AGE
Boring
Just kinda boring,hard to get into.But just sexual refrences.
What other families should know:
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Educator and Parent of 6 and 11 year old
May 8, 2012
AGE
On for my kids!!
Lolita is an awesome girl!!! Really someone I want my children to look up too, shes smart, funny, and cool, which is just what girls want to be. Thats why even older guys like her! I wish I could have been like her when I was thirteen, and this brings back fond memories about my childhood and the girl I wanted to be like. When m children are older this is something my children will enjoy very much.
What other families should know:
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Adult
November 5, 2012
AGE
Recommended Rating: 12+ for sexual references, thematic elements and mild violence
This film centers on a professor who gets seduced by a 14 year old girl and is led into a trap. The thematic elements, though not explicit, are not recommended for young children. There are mild sexual references, and some suggestive material where sex is implied but not shown. The violence is quite mild and is restricted to two scenes where people are shot and killed, both off-screen. Characters casually drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes.
What other families should know:
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| Studio: | Samuel Goldwyn Company |
| Director: | Stanley Kubrick |
| Cast: | James Mason, Shelley Winters, Sue Lyon |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 137 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 12, 1962 |
| DVD release date: | June 12, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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