The Apartment

I’m not surprised by all the Oscar nominations. Because of its age, this film seems a bit old-school, like something from a bygone era, but it has a kind spirit that entertains effortlessly and doesn’t offend anyone in any way, which we are used to from today‘s comedies. It treats a classic, totally overused topic, but it’s conveyed in a cute, fun way. You can feel a bit of the drug-induced cheer of that era’s Hollywood, but it’s all very good-natured and inoffensive. (02/10/2020)

I think this is one of those films that is perfect in every way. The perfect blend of romance, humor and drama, the perfect interplay of the central couple (even though they are both so different), the perfect Christmas atmosphere, plenty of memorable moments and especially the pleasant unpredictability of whether it will turn out well or not. After the closing credits, I had to see for myself that The Apartment really lasted two hours. I went by so fast. (02/01/2014)

I never wanted to go into The Apartment. The late Wilder stars like Lemmon or MacLaine (here representing a new type of beauty - after all, she is a star in the Audrey Hepburn era, right?) are never attractive on their own, but they need proper guidance, more than anyone else. The story has a certain charm, but its essence is brash and cruel at the same time, so the finale is highly questionable. But all this, managed by Wilder with considerable experience, has a certain level and now and then it is good to accept such experiences. Not to rest on our laurels, right? (01/25/2017)

I thought Baxter wouldn't stand up to his oppressors in the end. I also thought about how it would look nowadays, when he could secretly film them and then blackmail them. Great cast, with Jack Lemmon showing what an incredible performer he is, Shirley demonstrating human imperfection and a desire for affection in the wrong places. Superbly executed until the very end. (04/01/2015)

Any room in the student dorms could tell more interesting stories than this one about a cagey bastard who sucks up to his bosses by lending them a love nest for long winter evenings... But seriously, almost every other review mentioned Lemmon's civility. Which is interesting because I was annoyed by his utter incivility and overacting in an otherwise excellent film (especially the scene with the fever was deserving of chastisement). And it's even more obvious when confronted with the perfectly civil (ehem, ehem) and a charming performance from Shirley MacLaine. She just sits there all the time, while he runs around confusedly waving his arms like in a slapstick movie. (08/08/2010)