Review of The Apartment (1960) by Michael Y — 16 Jul 2011

Billy Wilder tops himself again! He goes back to his mysterious and dramatic roots as he writes and directs this much more dramatic rom-com with top notch performances from its incredible cast.

C.C. Baxter is just a normal office worker who tries his best to get ahead. But he doesn't get ahead the traditional 'hard working' way. Baxter loans his apartment to his bosses so they can cheat on their wives with young women, and he gets rewarded. Baxter has an big crush on the elivator girl, Fran, and hopes his success would woo her, but it just so happens the head of his company who Baxter is loaning his apartment to is having an affair with Fran. Billy Wilder has written and directed some great, timeless comedies, but The Apartment is definitely a lot darker in tone than most of his other movies, since Sunset Boulevard. The theme of cheating husbands, hopeless love and SUICIDE is a lot more mature than your regular rom-com in its time. This movie is a part of a line of great movies that changed the way relationships are in the real world, and it does it with great style. Jack Lemmon gives a wonderful performance as the nice guy that finnishes last, Fred MacMurray also goes through a change playing a less moral character, and Shirley MacLaine is absolutely GORGEOUS and brilliant for her role.

Billy Wilder is known for being brilliant behind the camera. His skill with cinematography is brilliant, but The Apartment is definitely one of his best works. The look of the office is big, detailed, and used very well, with multiple floors and offices in the big business empire. And Baxter's apartment room is even more impressive and becomes iconic. It's like a regular apartment with the regular rooms and furnature, but the way the light is used in the room and the different creative camera angles that are used on the actors is beyond wonderful. Wilder's directing is spot on in this movie, hitting every depressing and romantic key perfectly. The pacing is just right and very seems rushed and never leads us to expect what could happen next.

The Apartment is one of those romantic movies that seem true to the heart because it deals with mature subject matter and real emotions. Wilder writes and directs it perfectly and the actors know just what to do right. The Apartment isn't just serious, but thoroughly enjoyable for all.