In the first of our new ‘Looking Back Friday’ season, Sam Fragoso looks at the much loved Billy Wilder Film, The Apartment
All of our lives we are desperately attempting to be a human being: Someone with morals, ideals, and love. It’s an ongoing search – one that has no boundaries or final destination. In Billy Wilder’s superb film – The Apartment – our protagonist C.C. Baxter (played by the great Jack Lemmon) has been present, but not necessarily living. This is his tale of finally becoming a real mensch.
Baxter is just another ordinary guy (which is perhaps the reason why his character is ultimately so effective) he works in a cubicle, a row of desks, laid out like some sort of communistic factory. Everyone’s work day begins at 8:50 A.M. and ends at 5:30 P.M.
“That’s the way it crumbles, cookie-wise”
The crux of the plot is Baxter’s apartment. He works late in his cubicle, not because he necessarily wants to, but because he’s a womanizing bachelor … or at least that’s how many perceive him as.
The truth is Baxter allows his superiors at work access to his cozy apartment – a nice little place where the corporate executives can have their affairs with young, attractive secretaries, in peace. In exchange the big boys keep promising Baxter raises and promotions – patting him on the back like a child in first grade who just completed their first multiplication table.
This is all well and good. That is until Mr. Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray) – the boss of Consolidated Life – asks Baxter if he can utilize his apartment for one night to bring up Fran Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine) – a cute elevator operator Baxter has had his eyes on for quite some time.
Being the type of susceptible and giving person he is, Baxter continues to grant his co-workers allowance to his apartment. Whether doing such is pragmatic, is debatable. As a result of allowing one night stands in his house, he’s promoted at his job – but also frowned upon by his neighbors, who are consistently upset by his supposed sexual habits.
The irony within the premise springs plenty of good laughs – most of which result from miscommunication and lack of understanding. Which, incidentally, is how Baxter and Fran become close and form a quirky, though heartwarming relationship.
Sheldrake sweet talks Fran, making these hyperbolic statements about how he’ll leave his wife for her, so on and so forth. It’s dramatic irony at its finest.
We know Sheldrake is in for the short-term sexual pleasure – albeit his grand gestures. We know Baxter is in love with Fran, but can’t muster up the strength to tell her. Fran is in the middle of it all. She’s infatuated with the persona of Sheldrake – the riches, pseudo sentiments, and luxurious lifestyles. Fran keeps on saying, “How can’t I love someone nice like you, Baxter?”
We question this very aspect all throughout The Apartment. In society it’s a question that’s subsequently asked. How come women can’t fall in love with the nice guy, instead of the one who treats them poorly? Sure, the film was made in 1960, but Wilder’s touching story is still contemporary even today.
Categorically the film is a romantic-comedy, with a hint of drama. But Wilder and Diamond’s script is too intelligent for the standard whimsical tropes. Our protagonists have jobs that need tending to – unlike many of the standard rom-com flimsies where the characters seemingly have nothing else in their lives besides each other’s inconsequential issues.
Beyond the occupations these characters contain, it is the mere fact that we care for the people on screen that sets The Apartment apart from your typical romantic film. MacMurray as Mr. Sheldrake and MacLaine as Ms. Kubelik are chillingly great, hitting nuances and molding into their characters seamlessly. Still, it is Jack Lemmon that controls the screen. His sincere, precise, and quietly dark performance as C.C. Baxter – a lonely man who at last may have found true love – makes the film in its subtle, endearing glory.
The Apartment embodies everything I’ve come to love about romanticism in the cinema. Its engaging reality and sense of optimism transports the viewer into another time. The film flowed beautifully – made me concern for the final outcome of these people – and ultimately, awed me to a point of relentless happiness.
The exterior of Billy Wilder’s timeless classic may be a dark and witty comedy (as it certainly is at times), but at The Apartment’s core is an intimate relationship – two people puzzled by their realties, but by the end, sure of their affection for one another.
Sam Fragoso is the creator of his site Duke & The Movies, Chief critic at Anomalous Material, and freelances for numerous online publications. You can follow him on twitter @DukeSensation
Have you seen this film? Are you a fan of Billy Wilder features? Comment below…
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32 comments
1 ping
January 13, 2012 at 9:37 am (UTC 0)
Great review my friend.
I haven’t seen this yet, but I am very much looking forward to it. After seeing ‘Some Like It Hot’ the other day I am very open to both Lemmon and Wilder.
Thanks
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January 13, 2012 at 11:48 pm (UTC 0)
You’re way ahead of me matey, I still haven’t seen Some Like It Hot yet. Btw, when are you gonna give one of GP movies a chance?
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January 14, 2012 at 7:15 am (UTC 0)
… Scott … I still haven’t seen SOME LIKE IT HOT, though I’m sure it’s worth every bit of the attention.
… Ruth … What’s a GP movie?
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January 14, 2012 at 7:40 am (UTC 0)
GP = Gregory Peck
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January 13, 2012 at 11:04 am (UTC 0)
Some great insights their Sam. The Apartment is one of my all time favourites and really took me by surprise the first time I saw it.
Since watching a number of Jack Lemmon films, I have seen elements of his madcap humour in Jim Carrey performances, it is clear that he has influenced numerous comedy actors and still continues to do so.
Good start to what should shape up to be a brilliant series of features!
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January 14, 2012 at 7:17 am (UTC 0)
Lets hope so Tom.
I’ll have to look at Carrey’s performances more next time.
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January 13, 2012 at 11:46 am (UTC 0)
I really do love this film. Good review. I find it amazing that once upon a time romantic comedies were Oscar winners and so critically loved. Lemmom and MacLaine are such an adorable pair and the dialogue is briullinat. It’s so sweet and sad and funny all at the same time. My favourite Wilder film.
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January 14, 2012 at 7:19 am (UTC 0)
It’s funny that you mention Oscars used to select romantic-comedies for best picture winners, considering THE ARTIST has a legitimate chance this year of winning.
Thanks for reading.
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January 14, 2012 at 5:51 pm (UTC 0)
Yes, but this IS the nostalgia year.
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January 13, 2012 at 2:20 pm (UTC 0)
Hi, Sam and company:
Excellent, well thought and executed review of a Billy Wilder classic!
The entire cast shines. Especially like the interplay between smiling corporate uber louse Fred Mac Murray and Jack Lemmon.
A great start for Scott’s ‘Looking Back’!
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January 13, 2012 at 3:37 pm (UTC 0)
Good job Sam, an excellent film to start this feature off with. I also love the performance of Lemmon in this one.
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January 14, 2012 at 7:21 am (UTC 0)
… Deth … The entirely cast truly is great. Hopefully things are uphill from here.
… Bonjour Tristesse … It certainly is a beautiful, fun, and endearing film. A great way indeed to start this feature off.
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January 13, 2012 at 4:03 pm (UTC 0)
For years, when I heard “romantic comedy”, I’d run for the hills. And the poster art on this one made it look like the worst kind. Then I started watching a few Wilder movies, and realized how great they are. So then I tried The Apartment, and went bananas for it. There’s a LOT of dark humor in there, and it doesn’t sugarcoat anything in that movie. Suicide attempts? Depression? With the heavy-handed moralism of the Hayes Code era, Wilder’s film was a breath of fresh air. I loved it.
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January 13, 2012 at 7:02 pm (UTC 0)
Sam, you’re all over the Internet! I only caught up with the Apartment a few years ago, and I love this movie. I love the biting style that undercuts pretty much all the sentimentality in this film, and the performances are brilliant. Great review!
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January 14, 2012 at 7:25 am (UTC 0)
… John … I loved it as well. Certainly handles some bold issues with dark humor.
… Dan … I try my friend. The biting style is certainly what distinguishes THE APARTMENT from other feature films.
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January 13, 2012 at 7:39 pm (UTC 0)
As and when you pick up 60′s for your History of Film section, this will be my number 1. Need I say any more??
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January 14, 2012 at 7:41 am (UTC 0)
Hi SDG, as a side note I have been trying to comment on your blog the last few days, but the captcha is not loading properly.
Sorry
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January 14, 2012 at 1:36 pm (UTC 0)
Well, that is unfortunate Scott. I got your comment on Female Leads Post. Thanks anyways. Hope it will work soon.
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January 13, 2012 at 8:37 pm (UTC 0)
Certainly one of my favorites of Lemmon’s work. It’s hard to look at a tennis racket the same.
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January 14, 2012 at 7:27 am (UTC 0)
… SDG … I’d say the next review I publish here, may top The Apartment.
… Fitz … I suspect when I’m slumming it out in college, the racket may very well become a kitchen appliance.
Thank you all for reading.
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January 14, 2012 at 1:38 pm (UTC 0)
Next Review you published here was Joyful Noise Sam. You think that will top Apartment??? :d jk.
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January 15, 2012 at 9:10 am (UTC 0)
Yes! How did you know? Damn.
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January 14, 2012 at 3:54 pm (UTC 0)
I love this film. A gorgeous mix of meloncholy and keenly observed comedic performances from the two leads. ‘Shut up and deal!’
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January 15, 2012 at 9:08 am (UTC 0)
Eloquently said Ronan.
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January 14, 2012 at 5:47 pm (UTC 0)
Wonderful piece Sam. This is one of my favourite films of all time. Billy Wilder is a genius. Love Shirley MacLaine and Jack Lemmon here…definitely the best romantic film ever!
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January 15, 2012 at 9:09 am (UTC 0)
Not sure I could disagree with that statement Dan.
Thanks for reading.
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January 16, 2012 at 8:27 pm (UTC 0)
God, this film. This film. It’s pictures like these that the phrase ‘they don’t make ‘em like they used to’ derive from. Shirley MacLaine and Jack Lemmon, a dynamic duo indeed.
This was a joy to read. Looking forward to more from you, Sam.
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January 18, 2012 at 12:42 am (UTC 0)
I agree wholeheartedly. They certainly don’t make em like they used to.
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January 17, 2012 at 1:59 am (UTC 0)
I’m ashamed to say I haven’t seen this film yet – another in the long list of Films To See Before I Die…..
Great article, though Sam. I love anything with Jack Lemmon in it (my wife has Grumpy Old Men 1 & 2 on constant replay at home!) and this is one I have to make time for.
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January 18, 2012 at 12:43 am (UTC 0)
Indeed you do.
Thanks for reading Rodney.
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January 17, 2012 at 3:07 pm (UTC 0)
Very nice look at the Apartment. I’m ashamed to admit that this is this cult classic that I’m never in the mood to watch but maybe after this, I feel a little more inspired.
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January 18, 2012 at 12:45 am (UTC 0)
Hmm …
I’ve never heard THE APARTMENT be called a cult classic?
Regardless, please do seek it out.
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Attack the Blog: The Best Links for the Week of 1/19/2012 « justAtad
January 19, 2012 at 3:26 pm (UTC 0)
[...] First up, Sam over at Front Room Cinema has a review of one of my favourite films of all time, The Apartment. [...]