Lolita (1997)
Adrian Lyne's haunting adaptation of Nabokov's landmark novel, anchored by a mesmerizing Jeremy Irons performance.
Lolita - Movie Information
- Original Title: Lolita
- Release Year: 1997
- Directed by: Adrian Lyne
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 17m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 27, 1997 (Italy), May 8, 1998 (United Kingdom - 18), January 1, 1998 (Germany - 18), January 14, 1998 (France - 12), September 4, 1998 (Brazil - 16), October 2, 1997 (Spain), October 17, 1998 (South Korea - 18)
- Alternative Titles: 洛丽塔 (CN), Lolita: Una pasión prohibida (MX), لولیتا (IR), Lolita de Adrian Lyne (ES)
- Production Companies: Pathé, Lolita Productions
- Production Countries: France, United States of America
Lolita - Plot
Humbert Humbert is a middle-aged British novelist who is both appalled by and attracted to the vulgarity of American culture. When he comes to stay at the boarding house run by Charlotte Haze, he soon becomes obsessed with Lolita, the woman's teenaged daughter.
Lolita - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the film's haunting atmosphere take shape.
A forbidden love. An unthinkable attraction. The ultimate price.
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Lolita - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Adrian Lyne
Main Cast
- Jeremy Irons
- Dominique Swain
- Melanie Griffith
- Frank Langella
- Suzanne Shepherd
- Keith Reddin
- Erin J. Dean
- Joan Glover
- Pat Perkins
- Ed Grady
Writers
- Stephen Schiff
Producers
- Joel B. Michaels
- Mario Kassar
Lolita - FAQs
Is Lolita (1997) based on a true story?
No, Lolita is not based on a true story. It is an adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov's celebrated 1955 novel of the same name. Nabokov himself wrote the screenplay for Stanley Kubrick's 1962 version, while the 1997 film uses a screenplay by Stephen Schiff.
Where can you stream Lolita (1997)?
Lolita (1997) is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, OVID, Pluto TV, Tubi TV, and for free on Kanopy and Hoopla. It can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube.
How does the 1997 Lolita differ from the 1962 version?
Adrian Lyne's 1997 adaptation is generally considered more faithful to Nabokov's novel than Stanley Kubrick's 1962 film. Lyne's version is more explicit in depicting Humbert's obsession and the disturbing nature of the relationship, while Kubrick's take was more darkly comedic and constrained by 1960s censorship.
Who are the main actors in Lolita (1997)?
The film stars Jeremy Irons as the obsessed narrator Humbert Humbert, Dominique Swain as Dolores 'Lolita' Haze, Melanie Griffith as Charlotte Haze, and Frank Langella as the sinister Clare Quilty. Irons received widespread praise for his nuanced and unsettling performance.
Why was Lolita (1997) controversial and hard to release?
The film struggled to secure a US distributor for nearly two years due to its sensitive subject matter — the obsession of an adult man with a 12-year-old girl. It eventually premiered on Showtime in 1998 before receiving a limited theatrical release, bypassing major studio distribution entirely.
What is the age rating for Lolita (1997)?
Lolita (1997) is rated R in the United States. In other countries it received stricter ratings: 18 certificates in the United Kingdom and Germany, a 16 rating in Brazil, and a 12 rating in France, reflecting varying national standards for its mature and disturbing content.
Who directed Lolita (1997) and who composed the score?
Lolita (1997) was directed by Adrian Lyne, known for provocative dramas such as Fatal Attraction and Unfaithful. The haunting and evocative score was composed by legendary Italian maestro Ennio Morricone, whose music adds considerable emotional depth to the film's troubling narrative.
What is Lolita (1997) about?
Lolita follows Humbert Humbert, a middle-aged British novelist who becomes dangerously obsessed with Dolores Haze, the teenage daughter of his American landlady. The film traces his manipulative pursuit across America, exploring themes of obsession, delusion, moral corruption, and the devastating consequences of unchecked desire.
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