The Apartment
Reviews
Andres Gomez
A tiypical Billy Wilder comedy. Fun and with great script and performance from Jack Lemmon. A must to see.
tmdb47633491
Essential viewing once a year for soul maintenance
Filipe Manuel Neto
**It's a good movie, but Best Picture at the Oscars? Frankly…** I really enjoyed this film, largely thanks to the lightness of its story, and the funny way in which the film plays with the situation in which the protagonist finds himself intertwined. The film was, in fact, the big winner of the Oscars in its year, with ten nominations and five statuettes (Best Editing, Best Art Direction in Black and White, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director and, the icing on the cake, Best movie). However, if we observe that that year were also nominated for much more memorable films such as “Spartacus” or “Psycho”, it is questionable whether this film really deserved to be considered the best film of the year. The script is based on the difficulties experienced by a simple office worker of a large insurance company from the moment he begins to lend his own apartment to several superiors in the firm, so that they can take their mistresses and girlfriends there. With the situation, he gains a bad reputation among the neighbors and with the landlady, in addition to not being able to go to his own house when he wants and thinks he should, being always limited by the arrangements that he is, from a certain moment, coerced into keeping. , as you progress in the firm thanks to the exchange of favors. Of course, there's going to be a very complicated romance midway through the story, and everything will end well, as it does in these comedies. The cast is half the recipe for this success. Jack Lemmon gives us a very good performance, perhaps the best of his career as an actor, along with his enormous acting exercise in “Some Like it Hot”. Fred McMurray was also very good in this film, giving us with commitment and great charisma an unpalatable character (a married man, very important in the company, who betrays his wife and will take advantage of the ambition of a minor employee). Without disapproval for the good performance of Sirley MacLaine, who gave life to a fragile young woman who is the main love interest of the protagonist, the film is not especially sympathetic to any element of the female cast. The film has a very pleasant pace and time passes without us noticing it, if we give the story a chance to get involved. I think the good editing and the fact that the film doesn't stop at dead moments helped a lot at that point. Good sets and costumes, especially the office set, with all the details we can imagine, make for a film that is good, although I can consider that there are far superior films.
CinemaSerf
"Baxter" (Jack Lemmon) has hit on an unique way to work his way up the greasy pole. He sublets his apartment, by the evening, to his bosses at work so they can entertain their lady friends - all in the hope that promotion from his $90-a-week job will result. This policy frequently ends up with him standing around in the cold whilst they polish off all his liquor. Promises, and more promises - will he every get that better job? His only bright spot in the day is the mysterious but jolly lift operator "Fran" (Shirley MacLaine) but it turns out that she is involved with another big-noise executive. It's this man "Sheldrake" (Fred MacMurray) who could really make a difference for "Baxter" but at what cost? He's undoubtedly a bit of a rake as he plays rather callously with the affections of the loved-up "Fran". Finally, she feels so very despondent and she takes drastic action that luckily our hero is able to thwart, and with her still dazed, confused and upset the scene is set for what you might think is a predicable denouement. This isn't one of my favourite Billy Wilder stories. I felt the first half hour verged too closely on a sort of intellectual slapstick for me and much as I did like his effort, I couldn't warm to Jack Lemmon's character at all. MacLaine and MacMurray, on the other hand, presented me with ones I could sympathise with and detest in equally affecting measure. The dialogue is a testament to what can be written without resorting to endless Anglo-Saxon, yet still convey sentiments of aggressiveness, frustration and yep - even affection. It's all set around Christmas which also proves quite useful as it shines a light on many of the hypocrisies that prevail around this time of so-called "good will". The supporting cast deliver strongly too, especially his neighbourly doctor (Jack Kruschen) and wife (Naomi Stevens) who think he's constantly womanising his way through his evenings next door and by the end it's a stinging indictment of office politics and their peccadilloes. Ultimately, this is down to three strong acting performances delivering a pithily poignant script that ought to suggest you never give your spare key to anyone!
Movie Recommendation
One, Two, Three1961-12-15C.R. MacNamara is a managing director for Coca Cola in West Berlin during the Cold War, just before the Wall is put up. When Scarlett, the rebellious daughter of his boss, comes to West Berlin, MacNamara has to look after her, but this turns out to be a difficult task when she reveals to be married to a communist.More...
Some Like It Hot1959-03-19Two musicians witness a mob hit and struggle to find a way out of the city. Their only opportunity comes in the form of joining an all-girl band as they prepare to leave on a tour. The two disguise themselves as women and struggle to keep their identities secret as they deal with the problems this brings.More...
Sunset Boulevard1950-08-10A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity.More...
Double Indemnity1944-07-06A seductive housewife draws an insurance salesman into a plot of adultery and crime to collect on her husband's life insurance.More...
Irma la Douce1963-06-05When a naive policeman falls in love with a prostitute, he doesn’t want her seeing other men and creates an alter ego who’s to be her only customer.More...
The Ladykillers1955-12-08Five oddball criminals planning a bank robbery rent rooms on a cul-de-sac from an octogenarian widow under the pretext that they are classical musicians.More...
The Conversation1974-04-07A paranoid, secretive surveillance expert has a crisis of conscience when he suspects that the couple he is spying on will be murdered.More...
All About Eve1950-11-09From the moment she glimpses her idol at the stage door, Eve Harrington is determined to take the reins of power away from the great actress Margo Channing. Eve maneuvers her way into Margo's Broadway role, becomes a sensation and even causes turmoil in the lives of Margo's director boyfriend, her playwright and his wife. Only the cynical drama critic sees through Eve, admiring her audacity and perfect pattern of deceit.More...
Witness for the Prosecution1957-12-17An ailing barrister agrees to defend a man in a sensational murder trial where the unconvincing testimony of the defendant's wife becomes a subject of confusion.More...
The Front Page1974-11-01A journalist suffering from burn-out wants to finally say goodbye to his office – but his boss doesn’t like the idea one bit.More...
Red River1948-09-17Following the Civil War, headstrong rancher Thomas Dunson decides to lead a perilous cattle drive from Texas to Missouri. During the exhausting journey, his persistence becomes tyrannical in the eyes of Matthew Garth, his adopted son and protégé.More...
Atlantics2019-10-02Arranged to marry a rich man, young Ada is crushed when her true love goes missing at sea during a migration attempt — until a miracle reunites them.More...
Around the World in Eighty Days1956-10-17Based on the famous book by Jules Verne the movie follows Phileas Fogg on his journey around the world. Which has to be completed within 80 days, a very short period for those days.More...
Ace in the Hole1951-06-29An arrogant reporter exploits a story about a man trapped in a cave to revitalize his career.More...
The Odd Couple1968-05-16In New York, Felix, a neurotic news writer who just broke up with his wife, is urged by his chaotic friend Oscar, a sports journalist, to move in with him, but their lifestyles are as different as night and day are, so Felix's ideas about housekeeping soon begin to irritate Oscar.More...
Operation Petticoat1959-12-05A World War II submarine commander finds himself stuck with a damaged sub, a con-man executive officer, and a group of army nurses.More...
The Seven Year Itch1955-06-03With his family away for their annual summer holiday, a publishing executive decides to live a bachelor's life. The beautiful but ditzy blonde from the apartment above catches his eye and they soon start spending time together—maybe a little too much time!More...
North by Northwest1959-08-06Advertising man Roger Thornhill is mistaken for a spy, triggering a deadly cross-country chase.More...
Strangers on a Train1951-06-27Having met on a train, a smooth-talking psychotic socialite shares his theory on how two complete strangers can get away with murder to an amateur tennis player — a theory he plans to test out.More...
Two Mules for Sister Sara1970-03-02When a wandering mercenary named Hogan rescues a nun called Sister Sara from the unwanted attentions of a band of rogues on the Mexican plains, he has no idea what he has let himself in for. Their chance encounter results in the blowing up of a train and a French garrison, as well as igniting a spark between them that survives a shocking discovery.More...
Similar Movies
Children of Paradise
1945-03-15In a chaotic 19th-century Paris teeming with aristocrats, thieves, psychics, and courtesans, theater mime Baptiste is in love with the mysterious actress Garance. But Garance, in turn, is loved by three other men: pretentious actor Frederick, conniving thief Lacenaire, and Count Edouard of Montray.Earth
1996-05-20A mysterious exterminator falls in love with two women who live in a distinctive wine-producing region in Spain.The Diary of Anne Fra...
1959-03-18The true, harrowing story of a young Jewish girl who, with her family and their friends, is forced into hiding in an attic in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam.Planes, Trains and Au...
1987-11-26An irritable marketing executive, Neal Page, is heading home to Chicago for Thanksgiving when a number of delays force him to travel with a well meaning but overbearing shower curtain ring salesman, Del Griffith.Splash
1984-03-09A successful businessman falls in love with the girl of his dreams. There's one big complication though; he's fallen hook, line and sinker for a mermaid.The Mothman Prophecie...
2002-01-25Reporter John Klein is plunged into a world of impossible terror and unthinkable chaos when fate draws him to a sleepy West Virginia town whose residents are being visited by a great winged shape that sows hideous nightmares and fevered visions.Deconstructing Harry
1997-12-12Writer Harry Block draws inspiration from people he knows, and from events that happened to him, sometimes causing these people to become alienated from him as a result.Two Weeks Notice
2002-12-19Dedicated environmental lawyer Lucy Kelson goes to work for billionaire George Wade as part of a deal to preserve a community center. Indecisive and weak-willed George grows dependent on Lucy's guidance on everything from legal matters to clothing. Exasperated, Lucy gives notice and picks Harvard graduate June Carter as her replacement. As Lucy's time at the firm nears an end, she grows jealous of June and has second thoughts about leaving George.Hard Candy
2005-01-14Hayley’s a smart, charming teenage girl. Jeff’s a handsome, smooth fashion photographer. An Internet chat, a coffee shop meet-up, an impromptu fashion shoot back at Jeff’s place. Jeff thinks it’s his lucky night. He’s in for a surprise.Pleasantville
1998-09-17Geeky teenager David and his popular twin sister, Jennifer, get sucked into the black-and-white world of a 1950s TV sitcom called "Pleasantville," and find a world where everything is peachy keen all the time. But when Jennifer's modern attitude disrupts Pleasantville's peaceful but boring routine, she literally brings color into its life.Tuya's Marriage
2006-09-21Set in Inner Mongolia, a physical setback causes a young woman to choose a suitor who can take care of her, as well as her disabled husband.Indochine
1992-04-15Set in colonial French Indochina during the 1930s to 1950s, this is the story of Éliane Devries, a French plantation owner, and of her adopted Vietnamese daughter, Camille, set against the backdrop of the rising Vietnamese nationalist movement.Fast and Loose
1930-11-08A wealthy family is thrown into turmoil when the daughter falls for the family chauffeur and the son begins to keep company with a chorus girl.The Three Musketeers
1973-12-11The young D'Artagnan arrives in Paris with dreams of becoming a King's musketeer. He meets and quarrels with three men, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, each of whom challenges him to a duel. D'Artagnan finds out they are musketeers and is invited to join them in their efforts to oppose Cardinal Richelieu, who wishes to increase his already considerable power over the King. D'Artagnan must also juggle affairs with the charming Constance Bonancieux and the passionate Lady De Winter, a secret agent for the Cardinal.License to Wed
2007-07-04Newly engaged, Ben and Sadie can't wait to start their life together and live happily ever after. However Sadie's family church's Reverend Frank won't bless their union until they pass his patented, "foolproof" marriage prep course consisting of outrageous classes, outlandish homework assignments and some outright invasion of privacy.Ghostbusters II
1989-06-16The discovery of a massive river of ectoplasm and a resurgence of spectral activity allows the staff of Ghostbusters to revive the business.Young Frankenstein
1974-12-15A young neurosurgeon inherits the castle of his grandfather, the famous Dr. Victor von Frankenstein. In the castle he finds a funny hunchback, a pretty lab assistant and the elderly housekeeper. Young Frankenstein believes that the work of his grandfather was delusional, but when he discovers the book where the mad doctor described his reanimation experiment, he suddenly changes his mind.Frankenstein
1931-11-21Tampering with life and death, Henry Frankenstein pieces together salvaged body parts to bring a human monster to life; the mad scientist's dreams are shattered by his creation's violent rage as the monster awakens to a world in which he is unwelcome.Valley of the Dolls
1967-12-27Lured by their dreams of fame and fortune, three ambitious young women enter the world of show business and discover how easy it is to sink into a celebrity nightmare of ego, alcohol and pills — the beloved "dolls."The Crowd
1928-03-03John, an ambitious but undisciplined New York City office worker, meets and marries Mary. They start a family, struggle to cope with marital stress, financial setbacks, and tragedy, all while lost amid the anonymous, pitiless throngs of the big city.