Genre: Romance / Comedy
Duration: 125 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Billy Wilder
Stars: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray
IMDb score:
8,3 (216.356)
Releasedate: 21 June 1960
The Apartment plot
"Movie-wise, there has never been anything like it - laugh-wise, love-wise, or otherwise-wise!"
As an insurance company employee, Bud Baxter (Jack Lemmon) struggles to keep his head above water. He invents a quick way to get higher: rent his apartment to the high bosses, where they can then take their girlfriends. He often has to deal with the aftermath of the visits, and one evening he finds himself with a big problem that he must solve.
Actors and actresses
C.C. Baxter
Fran Kubelik
Jeff D. Sheldrake
Joe Dobisch
Dr. Dreyfuss
Al Kirkeby
Mrs. Margie MacDougall
Sylvia
Mrs. Mildred Dreyfuss
Karl Matuschka
Reviews & comments
Dievegge
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- 3166 messages
- 8191 votes
Why do people have to love people anyway?
The best comedies always have serious undertones. The Apartment shows how people can lose themselves in the big city. It is the conflict between the individual and the system. Is it enough to act as a cog in the whole, or does it take more to be a Human?
Where you live and where you work are part of your identity. At CC Baxter (Jack Lemmon), it's a bachelor flat and a skyscraper. His flat could be a haven of peace, but unfortunately... The most cozy place still seems to be the elevator with waiter Fran Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine), but those trips are short.
The script by Billy Wilder and IAL Diamond combines sophisticated humor with bittersweet twists. Everything refers to everything. You get sympathy for Baxter when he removes the razor blades from their holder. When he tries to shave with that empty holder a little later, those same blades make you laugh. It's full of those kinds of subtle finds. Also think of the recognition of the broken mirror.
CC Baxter and Fran Kubelik are not the typical hero and love object, but a hatter and a cute but slightly twisted girl. The side characters are nice too: the neighbors, the meddling secretary, and of course Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray) as the archetype of the macho who cheats on his wife, woos his sweethearts with false promises and distributes posts based on nepotism .
For the opening scene in the office, Wilder created false perspective by placing smaller desks with children and cardboard dolls in the back.
In short, The Apartment earns its status as one of the greatest comedies of all time.
Translated from Dutch · View original
IH88
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- 9727 messages
- 3182 votes
“That's the way it crumbles... cookie-wise.”
masterly. This is a romantic comedy like only Billy Wilder can make, and the dark undertones and socially critical message are not to be missed. But thanks to the direction by Wilder and the acting by Lemmon and MacLaine (both fantastic), it never gets too heavy. The Apartment works on several fronts and is simply a joy to watch. From the humor, the heavy subjects, the sharp dialogues, the sets, to the crackling chemistry between Lemmon and MacLaine. Everything works, and unfortunately not enough films like this are made anymore.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Don Homer
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- 510 messages
- 1297 votes
What a pleasure, this comic drama by Wilder. I notice that I find it difficult to name why I think this film is so magnificent. It will have to do with authenticity. He hit me.
The Apartment has a simple yet ingenious script in which the depth is in the development, the theme and in the details. The two protagonists play their roles with verve. They can enjoy the comical but also very realistic conversations in this film
It is not a light-hearted comedy, given the serious, recognizable events. Yet there is much to laugh about and Jack Lemmon in particular shines in this with a witty nonchalant character.
The serious character of Shirley MacLaine forms an antithesis in this. The cynicism sometimes drips from it. At times this is also very funny on a completely different level. In this way she effortlessly puts her finger on the sore spot in complicated matters.
Comes in my top 10 and so does Billy!
Translated from Dutch · View original
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