Bob's Cat
...l Wilder, as when an L.A. newspaper famously wrote in its review of Sunset Boulevard that the auteur should be "tarred and feathered and run out of Hollywood." Darkness and sardonicism like Wilder's have never been fashionable, and yet he never appeared to shy away from stories or scenarios that other filmmakers, particularly those known for comic abilities, rarely chose to examine. SOME SPOILERS The cold take on the sex-and-money ethos to be found in many corporate environments hasn't dated one bit; it could be argued that THE APARTMENT stands a bit ahead of its' time in the depiction of (what would appear to be) educated employees treated (and feeling like) tools to be used in generation of income. Lemmon's character never forgets that he's disposable, even if the optimist in him hopes that something better may be found in his superiors. Deep down he knows this to be a pipe dream - the sexual adventurism of those same superiors betrays their utter lack of ethics. Of course, Lemmon's character isn't entirely above it all; he's been more than willing to hire out his own apartment as a place for his colleagues' peccadilloes, in exchange for career advancement, which of course - as Wilder early links amoral sexual and professional/corporate/financial conduct in a greater social critique - gets him into trouble. Perhaps the most delightful aspect of this film is its surprising moral inclination. The sexual revolution had begun, but Wilder's tale of quiet romance and genuine love trumps the trysts of the bosses that take place in Baxter's apartment. Further, Baxter's private morality must become a public lifestyle before it makes a positive impact. Silent acceptance of deviant behavior results in a tragic series of events. The Apartment - True love in the midst of a sexually depraved America. The film works overtime to convince us that the characters live in a cynical, money-driven world, where fidelity is passé and love and sex are commodities. The movie deals with adultery, suicide, loneliness, and corporate cutthroats. While it was released in 1960, it still applies to corporate America today. It's not how good you are but the games you play that get you advanced. THE APARTMENT is a revealing, frequently hilarious look at corporate morality and its consequences. The Apartment is still a very good movie, especially when it remains rooted in its cynical vision of both corporate politics and sexual immorality. This was a great story. I have a hard time believing, however, that Baxter couldn't stand up for himself and just tell people they couldn't sleep in his apartment. He has a hard time saying no, a character we can all relate to. Further, Baxter finds that he can move up in the ranks if he lends out his apartment to others. Eventually, Baxter stands up for himself because he doesn't want to see the woman he loves hurt by another man, 'lending him the apartment.' Baxter discovers that love is more important than a better job or more pay. Director Billy Wilder did an excellent job in filming this movie. The story moved at just the right pace. It was an emotional movie too, because everyone feels sorry for Baxter...