This is just a terrible film. It has dated very badly and it has caricatures instead of actors. There are 3 hams and a vegetable in the 4 lead parts. I watched this because it is directed by Kubrick but I wish I'd never seen it at all.
James Mason over acts everything in a very exaggerated way. How did he even get cast. In 1962 were they that desperate? Certainly desperate enough to case Shelly Winters as the mum. Surely the character should have some redeeming features? As for Clare Quincy - what kind of name is that? Peter Sellars hams it up every time he has a moment. I'd like to think he was laughing at the movie, the script and the rest of the cast.
The Lolita herself is a kid of 15 playing a 14 year old. Theatrical would be a kind way to describe her. She is more like a vegetable - there only to be chewed up and spat out by the other characters.
This is dodgy subject matter and might have been something in 1962 but save yourself some time by watching another Kubrick film.
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