Stanley Kubrick: Ranking His Films From Worst To Best

It is impossible to mention this black and white motion picture without thinking about the controversy that followed the book of the same name, written by Vladimir Nabokov.

The film details the relationship of a middle-aged lecturer failing for a young 14-year-old girl. The film was heavily censored on its release, instead opting to leave certain elements to the imaginations of the audience. The extent of the censorship however, left Kubrick stating that if he had known beforehand he would have not made the movie in the first place.

The film polarised its audience and critics with its themes, leaving many uninterested or dismissive. Others however, gave the movie glowing reviews. Watching it today, somehow Kubrick pulls it off and really shows his talents as a director. He transforms the theme of the book into a satire of modern romance and somehow overtakes the original story’s lascivious tone with dark comedy.

Who would have thought Kubrick had a sense of humour? A film buff could look back at his previous work and struggle to see any early signs in Paths of Glory or The Killing. The film contains both empathetic and funny characters, especially Peter Sellers as the eccentric playwright Clare Quilty.

Nabokov earned an Oscar nomination for best screenplay, with Kubrick competing at the Golden Globes for Best Director.