Nabakov was 56 years old when this novel was published. James Mason who is the Nabakovian character {Humbert Humbert} in the movie was 52 years old when the movie was made. The novel had great appeal for its human affinity with the ageing process and the resilience of youth. Humbert, a middle-aged aesthete. whom we are informed by the novel, has always had an irresistible attraction to the allure of young female flesh, finds himself drifting in his waning years in the backwoods of American College employment. Although, a hugely conscious observer of the human tableau, there is one aspect of his dreamy existence that he has no control over - that is his lust for young, pubescent proto-woman. The narrative arrives at a small mid-western town, where Humbert is to take up an academic position.
Here, we, {the audience}, encounters the Shelley Winters character and her daughter Sue Lyons {looking decidedly older than the 12 year old nymphet that the novel describes}. At this point, having moved in, {now,his testosterone has taken over, as the controlling power in his psyche}. We are made aware as to Humbert's initial aversion, which he has to the vulgarity and lack of couth, which the Shelley Winters character has on him. This is then contrasted, {and his intellectual prejudice is immediately dispelled} by the sight of the young Sue Lyon {Lolita} displaying herself in an unselfconsciously sensuous bikini. Humbert's immediate reaction is one of sexual erectness. This futile lust, is where this tale of thwarted desire, begins.
We, {the audience}, are also given insight into this lonely driven man's inner life, {that is other than his interest in literature and poetry}, by being made privy to his personal life in the confessorial entries to his diary. Here we learn that he despises his generous, hospitable hostess, and how he worships and adores the butterfly {at chrysalis stage}, the "darling" Lolita. The juxtaposition of his undying love with Lolita's facile curiosity, {Lolita views men as a continent to be explored and conquered}, combined with her presumed interest in her mother's suitor.
In the movie, the Peter Sellers character, Clare Quilty is given more weight than the novel, where he has a dark, sinister influence. He is Humbert's nemesis in a role, which allows Sellers to demonstrate his great facility with mimicry. We see the dissolution of all the dreams that Humbert has signaled throughout the movie.
Everything that Kubrick creates is enormously interesting. There is a fine intelligence at work here. He brought Nabakov on board to write the screenplay {thus giving the movie maximum authenticity}. Anybody who loves the "Cinema" should go out of his way to see Kubrick's contribution to the art form. "My darrhling Lolita".
Here, we, {the audience}, encounters the Shelley Winters character and her daughter Sue Lyons {looking decidedly older than the 12 year old nymphet that the novel describes}. At this point, having moved in, {now,his testosterone has taken over, as the controlling power in his psyche}. We are made aware as to Humbert's initial aversion, which he has to the vulgarity and lack of couth, which the Shelley Winters character has on him. This is then contrasted, {and his intellectual prejudice is immediately dispelled} by the sight of the young Sue Lyon {Lolita} displaying herself in an unselfconsciously sensuous bikini. Humbert's immediate reaction is one of sexual erectness. This futile lust, is where this tale of thwarted desire, begins.
We, {the audience}, are also given insight into this lonely driven man's inner life, {that is other than his interest in literature and poetry}, by being made privy to his personal life in the confessorial entries to his diary. Here we learn that he despises his generous, hospitable hostess, and how he worships and adores the butterfly {at chrysalis stage}, the "darling" Lolita. The juxtaposition of his undying love with Lolita's facile curiosity, {Lolita views men as a continent to be explored and conquered}, combined with her presumed interest in her mother's suitor.
In the movie, the Peter Sellers character, Clare Quilty is given more weight than the novel, where he has a dark, sinister influence. He is Humbert's nemesis in a role, which allows Sellers to demonstrate his great facility with mimicry. We see the dissolution of all the dreams that Humbert has signaled throughout the movie.
Everything that Kubrick creates is enormously interesting. There is a fine intelligence at work here. He brought Nabakov on board to write the screenplay {thus giving the movie maximum authenticity}. Anybody who loves the "Cinema" should go out of his way to see Kubrick's contribution to the art form. "My darrhling Lolita".