This was the very first Billy Wilder movie I saw, catching it by mistake one night while channel surfing in between shifts at work. That was 3 years ago, and to this day it remains my favourite of his. This film covers issues like adultery, obsession, corporate favouritism and suicide, yet it never feels depressing. The way these issues are handled is remarkable, and Wilder manages to keep the tone lighthearted enough, while not compromising the issues at hand.
Jack Lemmon is C.C. "Bud" Baxter, a lowly clerk in an insurance agency, who tries to advance in the company by renting out his apartment to company executives involved in extramarital affairs. When his boss Jeff D. Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray) hears about this, he offers Bud a promotion in exchange for exclusive use of the apartment for his own affair. Bud accepts the offer, only before finding out that his boss's lover is Fran Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine), one of the company elevator operaters with whom Bud has fallen in love. Complications ensue.
Fran falls in love with Mr. Sheldrake to the point of obsession. Not wanting to risk losing his family and position, he gives Bud the job of dealing with the situation. Fran's situation turns dour one night when she attempts suicide. Bud then has to get her medical help while keeping the situation under wraps from inquisitive neighbours and Sheldrake's family. His own attachment to Fran makes the situation more personal, and he tries vehemently to help her rise out of her state.
While Jack Lemmon and Fred MacMurray are excellent, this is Shirley MacLaine's show. She provides a pitch-perfect performance as Fran, portraying her innocent search for love and hopeless desperation. Wilder should also be given credit for maintaining the right harmony between comedy and drama.
While I can sing the praises of Wilder for years to come, my admiration for his work is no more directed at any of his films than it is for this one. His work in writing and directing this film is incredible. Complete with a fine cast and efficacious handling of controversial situations, The Apartment takes a good look into the heart of the presented issues. Lemmon's sincerity, MacLaine's hopelessness and MacMurray's devilish self-centeredness make for one memorable motion picture experience!
© 2007 Kim Bartlett
Jack Lemmon is C.C. "Bud" Baxter, a lowly clerk in an insurance agency, who tries to advance in the company by renting out his apartment to company executives involved in extramarital affairs. When his boss Jeff D. Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray) hears about this, he offers Bud a promotion in exchange for exclusive use of the apartment for his own affair. Bud accepts the offer, only before finding out that his boss's lover is Fran Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine), one of the company elevator operaters with whom Bud has fallen in love. Complications ensue.
Fran falls in love with Mr. Sheldrake to the point of obsession. Not wanting to risk losing his family and position, he gives Bud the job of dealing with the situation. Fran's situation turns dour one night when she attempts suicide. Bud then has to get her medical help while keeping the situation under wraps from inquisitive neighbours and Sheldrake's family. His own attachment to Fran makes the situation more personal, and he tries vehemently to help her rise out of her state.
While Jack Lemmon and Fred MacMurray are excellent, this is Shirley MacLaine's show. She provides a pitch-perfect performance as Fran, portraying her innocent search for love and hopeless desperation. Wilder should also be given credit for maintaining the right harmony between comedy and drama.
While I can sing the praises of Wilder for years to come, my admiration for his work is no more directed at any of his films than it is for this one. His work in writing and directing this film is incredible. Complete with a fine cast and efficacious handling of controversial situations, The Apartment takes a good look into the heart of the presented issues. Lemmon's sincerity, MacLaine's hopelessness and MacMurray's devilish self-centeredness make for one memorable motion picture experience!
© 2007 Kim Bartlett
Billy Wilder's purest film. Pitch perfect (he really made more than a few perfect movies). A film that deals with sex, suicide, infidelity and never feels bound by the times. Oh and who'd have thought Shirley MacLaine was once cute as a button.
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