source:Internet Movie Database | Unfortunately this film version of Lolita does not portray the key elements which are found in the novel.
The portrayal of Humbert Humbert by James Mason does not bring across the hubris that this character radiates in the novel. James Mason is quite dry and boring as Humbert Humbert; the audience is not exposed to the pompous side of Humbert Humbert, care for just a glimpse when he reads the "confession of love" by Charlotte Haze. Sue Lyon although plays the temptress well, does not bring across the innocence which the nefarious cur, Humbert Humbert, tries to hide. The audience can not see the dichotomy that echoes and runs freely throughout Nabokov�s novel. Sue Lyon looks too old to be a nymphette, this is a role for a younger (and dare I say) more flat-chested girl. Many of scenes in the movie were too G-rated lending a hand to misinterpretation by the audience. Most notable is the scene in the lodge after the abduction of Dolores by Humbert, the scene was too subtle, not suggesting the carnal delights the two had clearly enough. Peter Sellars did do a fine job as Clare Quilty, his increased presence in the movie probably was used to inject some vulgarity into the movie because of the cultural limitations of the interactions of Humbert and Dolores. All in all this film evoked feelings like watered down porridge does in ones stomach.
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