The Apartment [1960 film]

by Billy Wilder (Director/Screenwriter), I. A. L. Diamond (Screenwriter)

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An ambitious office clerk plans to get ahead by lending out his apartment to his boss, but falls in love with the boss's girlfriend.

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11 reviews
A rather sordid premise to a well-written and well-made film, even if the 1960s style acting is a bit overdone in places. Shirley MacLaine is excellent as the young and attractive elevator operator, Fran; Jack Lemmon is also good as the kind but very ambitious CC Baxter, who lends his New York apartment out to management at his office for extra-marital trysts.

Most of the discussion of what goes on is couched in euphemisms, and there's no nudity or anything explicit, which is probably why the rating is only PG. But it's not at all appropriate for children or younger teens, in my view. However, for older teens or adults who like black-and-white films of this era, with some satire and light-hearted moments as well as some very tense ones, show more it has a good pace, and won several Oscars.

Longer review here: https://suesdvdreviews.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-apartment-jack-lemmon.html
show less
½
Lemmon and MacLaine are sparkling--especially MacLaine who has a unique presence--in a classic story that still holds up after all these years. It has probably been 40 years since I saw this the first time, so I was able to enjoy it as a new film. Lots of familar supporting actors, including Otis Campbell as Santa Claus. Wilder's films are exceptional. There may have never been a better director.
A suck-up lets his married bosses use his apartment to entertain women.

Not a bad movie, but all the awards it got are baffling to me. Maybe it has more depth and craftsmanship than your typical romantic comedy of the time, but best picture? Inherit the Wind, Psycho and Spartacus weren't even nominated.

Concept: D
Story: B
Characters: D
Dialog: A
Pacing: D
Cinematography: B
Special effects/design: A
Acting: A
Music: B

Enjoyment: C plus

GPA: 2.6/4
lemmon is a good actor. the conceit was how all men want to play on the side. the place of work was monolithic, but for a film made in 1959 amazingly modern. bitter sweet. the NY party ending was echoed in the graduate and when harry met sally
A man tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue. (IMDb)

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YOU might not think a movie about a fellow who lends his rooms to the married executives of his office as a place for their secret love affairs would make a particularly funny or morally presentable show, especially when the young fellow uses the means to get advanced in his job. But under the clever supervision of Billy Wilder, who helped to write the script, then produced and directed "The show more Apartment," ... the idea is run into a gleeful, tender and even sentimental film. And it is kept on the side of taste and humor by the grand performance of Jack Lemmon in the principal role. show less
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Jun 16, 1960
added by Lemeritus
Billy Wilder has furnished “The Apartment” with a one-hook plot that comes out high in comedy, wide in warmth and long in running time. As with his smash hit, “Some Like It Hot,” the broad handling is of more of consequence than the package. Wilder’s cinematic skill and the lure of Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray ensure acceptance of the Mirisch Co. picture. “The show more Apartment” should return substantial rentals to its landlord, United Artists. show less
May 18, 1960
added by Lemeritus

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Common Knowledge

Canonical title
The Apartment [1960 film]
Original title
The Apartment
Original publication date
1960-06-15
People/Characters
C. C. Baxter; Fran Kubelik; Jeff Sheldrake; Dr Dreyfuss
Important places
Upper West Side, Manhattan, New York, New York, USA; Manhattan, New York, New York, USA; New York, New York, USA; New York, USA
Important events
Christmas
Related movies
The Apartment (1960 | IMDb)
Original language
English
Canonical DDC/MDS
791.4372
Canonical LCC
PN1997

Classifications

DDC/MDS
791.4372Arts & recreationRecreation, sports, and performing artsMovies, TV, VideoMotion pictures, radio, television, podcastingMotion picturesFilms; screenplaysSingle films
LCC
PN1997Language and LiteratureLiterature (General)Literature (General)DramaMotion picturesPlays, scenarios, etc.

Statistics

Members
281
Popularity
114,439
Reviews
9
Rating
½ (4.37)
Languages
8 — Catalan, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish
ISBNs
13
UPCs
8
ASINs
31