I love this movie. I absolutely love this movie. I have watched this version several times, since it was released in 1997. Yes, I have read the book, but it was ages ago. Yes, I have seen the Kubrick version, which pales in comparison - and that's me being nice about it.
This is a tragic love story. A roadtrip movie, a drama, a romance.
Now, I could go into detail about the story, but the emotional heart that beats within _Lolita_ needs to be experienced. Merely relaying what happens will not do it justice. Furthermore, the story is so notorious that even if you don't know more than the name, you already have a good understanding of where the story goes.
So, let's talk a bit about the actors. Starting with the titular figure herself, Lolita. Dominique Swain is perfection. **Perfection!**
Swain was only fifteen during filming - whereas, Lolita was depicted as fourteen, when in actuality she was twelve in the book - and she shines in every scene; convincingly being: funny, charming, annoying, seductive, manipulative. She, alone, is worth seeing this film.
Irons has the difficult task of playing Humbert. Again, flawless. Being able to play this part in a way that is believable, yet not be viewed as pure evil by the audience, is a testament to Irons' acting.
The only others who really need mentioning are Griffith, and Langella. Griffith is able to bring the right mixture of humor, and sweetness to the part of Lolita's mother, Charlotte. Finally, Langella has the most unenviable part to play, that of Quilty - if there is a true villain here, it's he - and he makes the man every bit of detestable that he should be, and does so with only a few minutes at the end of the movie.
Only two more points here.
The music by Ennio Morricone is beautiful and heartbreaking. If you doubt, listen to "Love in the Morning."
Lastly, the director, Lyne, has made a period piece that feels timeless; set in the 1950s, and made in the 1990s. It still holds up. Unlike the Kubrick version, this is not a product of its time. Furthermore, it is not hampered by moral/ethical constraints of the time, which made the Kubrick version inappropriately silly, and so vague, as to make one wonder "why even bother making this?" This is the definitive version, hands down. Oh, by the way, there's a post-credits scene; just Lo tossing an apple in the air, but still...
If you are like me, you will love this. You will laugh, you will cry. _Lolita_ is a masterpiece.