15 Most Dehumanizing Moments In Stanley Kubrick's Films
14. Humberts Breakdown Lolita (1962)
Kubricks first commercial success is an adaptation of Vladimir Nabokovs controversial novel about a middle aged mans obsession with a prepubescent teenager. Starring the demure James Mason as Humbert Humbert and a 14-year-old Sue Lyon as Lolita, the two of them have the kind of uncomfortable chemistry perfectly suited to the plot. While dehumanization might not be the first thing that pops into mind when thinking about Lolita, there's no doubt that Humbert's sickening obsession cripples his higher faculties, and brings him to psychological breaking point. After running away from him, Lolita contacts Humbert a few months later to tell him that she's married, expecting a child, and needs money. Humbert rushes to see her and, completely ignoring the reality of the pregnant Lolita and her kindhearted husband, begs her to run away with him so that they can be together forever. After she rejects him, the grown man breaks down and sobs like a child while giving her a good chunk of his money. The scene is a tragicomic climax of one man's decent into madness, and it's utterly dehumanizing.
Nik's passions reside in writing, discussing and watching movies of all sorts. He also loves dogs, tennis, comics and stuff. He lives irresponsibly in Montreal and tweets random movie things @NikGrape.
