"Lolita" directed by Adrian Lyne was released in 1997 and is the second screen adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov's novel of the same name. The film stars Jeremy Irons as Humbert Humbert and Dominique Swain as Dolores "Lori" Dolores "Lolita" Haze. This work depicts the story of a middle-aged professor's sexual attraction to an underage girl and how he captures and manipulates her.
Compared with his predecessor, Stanley Kubrick's 1962 "Lolita," Lane's version is more direct with many of the novel's darker elements.
"Lane was more willing to reveal the dark side of the story than Kubrick's innuendos and puns."
"Lolita" tells the story of middle-aged professor Humbert, who moves to the United States and lives with the young widow Charlotte Hinds and her 14-year-old daughter Dolores. Humbert's heart is full of longing for girls, so he plans to cover up his relationship with "Lolita". Over time, their relationship evolves into many complex and painful levels, culminating in a tragic ending.
Kubrick's version of "Lolita" tended to use humor while cautiously handling sexual themes, causing many viewers to miss the essence of the story in laughter. In contrast, Lane's version does not hesitate to show the emotional chaos and moral gloom.
"Ryan's version profoundly reveals the complex relationship between the characters and presents the so-called line between love and appropriation."
In terms of character performance, the performance of the two protagonists in Ryan's version of "Lolita" has been widely praised. The interaction between Irons and Swain allows the audience to feel the subtle yet strong twisted emotions between the characters. In comparison, the character development in Kubrick's version is less deep and one-dimensional than Lane's.
"In this version, Lolita is more than just a victim; her rebellion and personality give the character depth."
In addition, Lane chose to add emotional rendering to the music and images, allowing the audience to feel the deep bond between Humbert and Lolita. Unlike Kubrick's version, Lane's film is full of emotional struggle and psychological torture.
In this film, listen to the music composed by Ennio Morricone, which adds poetry and emotional depth to the work.
Even if Lane's version is more faithful to Nabokov's text, it remains controversial, especially due to its sexual themes. Many film critics have doubts about the morality of the film. No matter whether this work benefits or damages criticism, it cannot conceal its artistic pursuit and innovation.
"Many viewers were attracted by the impact and controversy of this film, and it even became the focus of discussion."
Ultimately, Lane's "Lolita" makes the audience rethink the core of the story, presenting a unique perspective different from Kubrick's. Both movies strive to depict the dark side of human nature, but the way they present it is completely different, which makes people wonder: In such stories, where is our moral bottom line?