Lolita is a novel by Vladimir Nabokov that tells the story of Humbert Humbert, a middle-aged man who becomes obsessed with 12-year-old Lolita. The novel has been banned in many countries and has been the subject of lawsuits and protests. However, it continues to be popular, with adaptations appearing in film, television, opera, and music.
If you’re a fan of the novel Lolita, there are plenty of movies that you can watch that share similar themes and storylines. Some of these movies will give you a darker and more complex take on the story than others, but they all offer a unique insight into the world of Nabokov’s masterpiece. Click through to see our list of 9 movies like Lolita and be sure to tell us what your favorite is in the comments!
American Beauty (1999)
American Beauty is a 1999 American black comedy-drama film directed by Sam Mendes and written by Alan Ball. The film stars Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley, Mena Suvari, and Chris Cooper. It tells the story of Lester Burnham, a 42-year-old father who becomes infatuated with his daughter’s best friend.
Lester is a middle-aged suburban father who has just been fired from his job of seventeen years. He begins to feel invisible to his wife Carolyn and daughter Jane; everything he does seems to have no purpose. In contrast, 17-year-old Jane is trying to find her way in life. She rebels against her parents’ materialism and conformity by experimenting with dr@gs and s@x.
Great Balls of Fire! (1989)
In 1989, an iconic rock ‘n’ roll movie was released that told the story of one man’s rise to fame and his subsequent fall from grace. “Great Balls of Fire!” starred Dennis Quaid as Jerry Lee Lewis and Winona Ryder as his wife Myra.
The film was based on the true story of Lewis’ life, and it showed the meteoric rise to fame of the young singer, as well as his controversial marriage to Myra (which caused a scandal due to their age difference) and his downward spiral into alcoholism and drug abuse. The movie was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered one of the best rock ‘n’ roll movies ever made.
Young & Beautiful (2013)
The film “Young & Beautiful” is a 2013 French drama film directed by François Ozon. The screenplay was written by Ozon and his longtime collaborator, Marina de Van. It tells the story of 17-year-old Isabelle, played by Marine Vacth, who becomes a prostitute to support her family after her father dies.
The film competed for the Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival where Vacth won the award for Best Actress.
The Lover (1992)
In the novel The Lover, Marguerite Duras tells the story of a young girl’s affair with a much older man. Set in colonial Saigon in the 1930s, the story is narrated by the young girl as an older woman looking back on her memories. The Lover is a frank and explicit depiction of sexual desire and its accompanying emotional turmoil. While the novel is a great example of the way female desire can be expressed and explored in literature, it is also a very interesting piece of French Colonial Literature. In setting the story in Saigon, Duras uses the exoticism of Vietnam to contrast the mundane life of colonial life.
Circle of Two (1981)
Richard Burton, a 60-year-old artist, shares a secret, platonic romance with Tat, a 16-year-old girl. For the past two years, they have been writing letters to each other and sharing intimate thoughts about their lives. Burton is amazed by Tat’s maturity and insight, and he credits her with helping him to rediscover his creative passion. Despite their age difference, Burton and Tat feel as if they are kindred spirits. They are both searching for genuine connection in a world that often feels cold and isolating.
Albatross (2011)
Emelia, an aspiring novelist, joins a seaside hotel owned by Jonathan, a struggling novelist, and befriends his daughter. Over time, she falls in love with Jonathan
Palo Alto (2013)
Palo Alto is a 2013 American drama film written and directed by Gia Coppola. The film stars Emma Roberts, James Franco, Nat Wolff, and Owen Wilson. The plot follows the intertwining lives of five friends in Palo Alto during the last days of the summer before their junior year of college.
Manhattan (1979)
Manhattan is a 1979 American romantic drama film directed by Woody Allen and produced by Lawrence Weingarten. The screenplay by Allen and Marshall Brickman is based on the play of the same name by John Guare. Starring Allen, Diane Keaton, and Mariel Hemingway, the film tells the story of a couple who move to Manhattan from rural New Jersey in search of romance and success.
Notes On A Scandal (2006)
Notes on a Scandal is a 2006 British psychological thriller film directed by Richard Eyre and starring Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench. Written by Patrick Marber, the film is based on his play of the same name. It tells the story of a teacher, Barbara Covett (Dench), who strikes up a friendship with one of her students, Sheba Hart (Blanchett), only to discover that Sheba is having an affair with her husband. When Sheba becomes pregnant, Barbara becomes obsessed with ensuring that Sheba’s child does not become fatherless.
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