Lolita (1998)

REVIEW
A surprisingly erotic -- but not exploitative -- adaptation of the Nabokov classic, director Lyne actually scores with this sensual telling of the controversial story. As the lecherous Humbert Humbert who marries the shrill Charlotte Haze (Griffith) only so he can be close to her pre-teen daughter Lolita (Swain), Irons is magnificent in the lead role, giving weight and meaning to Stephen Schiff's thoughtful screenplay. Irons maintains a good rapport with the appealing Swain, and even Langella seems well cast as the goofy, flamboyant Clare Quilty. While this whole project could have been a disaster, Lyne's tasteful and literate Lolita brilliantly creates a sexually charged atmosphere without being offensive on any level. Fans of the novel, or even Kubrick's earlier screen treatment, might not be overly impressed, but the filmmakers really did do an admirable job in bringing Nabokov's masterpiece to the screen.