Sep 24, 2012

The Apartment [1960]


The Apartment is a 1960 romantic comedy written and directed by Billy Wilder. It tells the story of Baxter, a New York bachelor who often "rents" his apartment to his friends from the office, or better said, his bosses, out of courtesy, but also in hope of getting a promotion. His neighbors think he is a ladies man and is always partying, but they couldn't be farther from the truth, as Baxter is a sweet, rather naive, incapable of saying NO man.

Trouble and comedy arises when he finds out the woman he likes, Fran, the lady who runs the elevator at the office, is in a relationship with Sheldrake, the man responsible with promotions in the building, and, to make things worse, they are using his place to meet. After a quarrel between the two lovers in Baxter's apartment, she tries to kill herself, but the sweet young man comes in and saves the day, daring to do more and finally admit his feelings to her and to the older man.

As one would expect from a Billy Wilder script, it is funny, charming, full of misunderstandings, complications and hilarious situations. And although I haven't seen all of his movies, I still felt that it was too...Billy Wilder?!? His style is easy to recognise and this film frequently made me think "Hmm...I've seen/heard something like this before", plus the characters are very similar to the 50s comedies with Marilyn Monroe. Don't get me wrong, I liked it, but it certainly wasn't refreshing or extremely interesting to watch (that being said, I also felt the movie went on a little too much, but maybe it was just me).

The casting was spot on, and I just adored the two leads, Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. Lemmon portrays the sweet and naive man in a very charming, entertaining way, and Shirley MacLaine as Fran, the sweet, sexy, sultry, sassy, lovely woman operating the elevator, was the standout for me- maybe because I have never seen her before in an early days film, but I thought she was remarkable. One thing that was off for me was the resolving of the conflict between the two the end- it felt a little bit rushed, I felt like the transition and his change would have been done better and more fluidly, and the romantic aspect could have been more explored.

To conclude, I can say The apartment is a perfectly enjoyable and sweet Billy Wilder romantic comedy that you will like, but not particularly be impressed by. Still, it is worth a watch!

"Why can't I fall in love with a nice guy like you?"

10 comments:

  1. Aww I'm sad you didn't like it more. It is typically Wilder, but for me it is Wilder at his best. But then again I love romcoms and this is one of the greatest ones ever.

    I love the simplicity of it. The leads are definitely brilliant. Jack Lemmom is boss.

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    1. I love romcoms, too, I just wasn't over the moon about this one, sorry! Jack Lemmon IS boss :)

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  2. Sorry you didn't like it as much I do. (It's only my favorite movie.) I love the comedic moments, but the more serious parts of the film are what make it so wonderful. Lemmon and MacLaine are great. The look he gives her when he finds out she's Mr. Sheldrake's girl...it gets me every time.

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    1. Sorry to disappoint Josh! Like I said, I loved the two leads, wonderful performances!

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  3. I like this movie a lot, it's very charming and sweet and I loved two lead actors! Yeah, I get what you say it was a little bit too long and too much "Wilder", I felt the same way.

    Also Shirley MacLaine is guest starring in new episodes of Downton Abbey so here is another thing for you to look forward to in that show :)

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    1. Nice to see we agree Sati, thanks for dropping by!

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  4. Man oh man, I really need to watch this soon! I have not met anyone who does not love this movie. Great review Diana!

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    1. Thanks Ruth! It's a nice sweet comedy- if you're looking for something light, this is it!

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  5. I'm with you on this movie. I liked it, but for Wilder it was only just okay.

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