ridiculous rating

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

I thought I knew just about everything about Charles Bronson and then I found out about this film. Bronson plays a 38 yr old writer of porno and seduces/falls in love with a 15 year old named Twinky (played well by Susan George). This sounded like a skit from Saturday Night Live, except Saturday Night Live wasn't around yet. Since this movie was filmed in 1969, Bronson was actually 48 and George 19 at the time of filming. And boy are they mismatched.There is nothing really great about the story. Its just unbelievable seeing Bronson being affectionate, kissing Twinky, caring, putting up with an adolescent, and loving. I've never seen Bronson like this and never known him to be a romantic lead. I would love to know what Susan George thought of Bronson while filming this. Bronson shows more emotion and has more lines than I recall from any other movie he's done. And seeing him kiss the girl numerous times thru out the movie never stopped amazing me. This movie is worth the watch just to see a completely different Bronson!

What can I say? This is a weird one. Filled with sitcom jingles and 60s freeze frames, LOLA is a product of its time. It's also got some stinky performances. Chucky Bronson sleeps his way through the role of a writer. Unable reveal a single note emotion, Bronson displays the sensitivity of a gravy bowl. His stone grimace may be good for getting it done and blowing away bad dudes, but it's not going to do anything for relationships. Susan George (who plays Lola) is certainly attractive. But, she's her one-note "I'm going to be a 12-year old" approach to the role grows tiresome. All and all, it's very funny to see this thing. You can't help but wonder what was going in with these B-flicks or why in the world Bronson wanted to take this role.

Well, there's Charles Bronson near his prime and heaps of nice female limbs in this film, so there is that going for it, regardless of your sex or preference, I suppose. There are other visual attractions besides the leads, though - some nice settings and camera work.The problem is that, whilst the basic plot itself is somewhat plausible, it's just not handled to the depth that it could be. Bronson does a passable job as the writer who tries to be Hubby but ends up feeling more like Daddy half the time, but it is not his best effort by far. He really does better in thrillers like "Telefon". Susan George (as well as most of the actresses playing her friends/peers) comes off as being fairly vacuous, and acts more like she's 11 than 16. Perhaps this is meant to help us share some of Bronson's character's discomfort - but then he married her because she guilts him into it, or he guilts himself? Or what? I'm not buying it. Perhaps if there were some genuine deep chemistry and passion between the two, but I don't get that. The entire relationship comes off more like a long, uncomfortable play-date.Okay, maybe it's supposed to - but then, what's the point?And whilst as a male with the typical appreciation for the female form I can't say I really object strenuously to this, but hey - she wears a miniskirt in *every* scene, even in NYC in the wintertime? C'mon...The soundtrack is also fairly hokey, even given when this film was made, and makes it feel even more contrived.I gave this film a 6 of 10 because it's pleasant enough entertainment for the I've-no-date-tonight circuit, and because I'm a Bronson fan, but no higher because it really never draws in the viewer, and fails to make any lasting statement or impression.

If Vladimir Nabakov had been born about 40 years later (and had been 20-something in the British Mod era), he might have devised a story similar to this. It's an erratic but amusing, sometimes sincere flick starring Charles Bronson as a writer of pulpy novels who falls in love with a schoolgirl (youthful and brash Susan George). Early directorial effort by Richard Donner has expressive eyes and ears, but it doesn't quite know how to wrap itself up, leading to a final act which is a bit rote. Very well edited however, and full of appealing scenes and lots of energy. Fine acting by the game cast, especially Bronson. Worth seeing. **1/2 from ****