It seems to be quite amusing the way that so many people get so bent out of shape about a movie not following a book exactly. That is the beauty of prose, and the wonder of cinema. Why should there be a word for word visualization of something that already exists quite happily? Lolita is a compelling novel, a fascination read; is it wrong for an artist such as kubrick, or anyone else to succeed in creating that awesome world of humbert and the hayes ladies?
Is it immoral for yet another artist to come along and want to do it again, his way? Of course not. And if, for instance, a student longed to adapt lolita to a thesis, would he be criticized? Well, in the last instance, probably, because there isnt enough faith to go around for all students to take on a project such as that. But thats just the point, isnt it? Why shouldnt that student go on with his ideas and make the film he wants to? Who has the absolute authority to say that he wont be able to pull it off, or that its not something he should be focusing on right now?
Its a recognized story that will guarantee at least a little bit of attention. There are infinite possibilities in art. Cinema, painting, writing, photography, they yield such an incredible amount of focus, and talent, and decision; none repeats itself. When interpretations are brainstormed, and finally realized, that is somebodys achievement, however perfect or imperfect in relation to the original. There are critics who believe that masterpieces are meant to be what they are, and that remakes are not worthy of their titles. But how can this be, when there are so many things new, and so many ideas still unproduced?
Time, eras, our personal evolution, give us so much to look back on, to ponder and question. Young adults today will read lolita, and watch the first movie, and then the second, and they will be most apt to honestly enjoy the latest release over kubricks version. This is because of what people are accustomed to, of course. If a vhs copy of lolita with jeremy irons on the sleeve was screened in a geriatric hospital, the conclusion would be much different than it would be among young adults. Reproductions give us wonderful opportunities. Lolita is a shining example of this.
Nobakov wrote a novel, the infamous lolita. Some time later a film was made by the same name. That film was not nearly as explicit as the original because of the time and place it was made. The public didnt want to see things like pedophelia on a giant screen in a dark room. Today, the act is still illegal, fortunately, but as a group of personalities and minds, the public has grown into a mass that can handle this subject maturely, and respectfully. There is a pride that goes along with finally reaching a point in culture where lolita can be seen on showtime, and although there will always be some controversy, over anything, the outcome has never been clearer, and a freedom of mentionable intensity has been earned.