Slight hiatus from the list, but I am back today to write about the latest movie on the AFI Top 100 list.
I had never heard of The Apartment before. I hadn't even really heard of the people in it. So I went in with no expectations and came out very pleased.
C.C. Baxter (Jack Lemmon) is a hard working bachelor, with a decent job in his company. However, he has a problem. His superiors have decided that his apartment makes the perfect "love shack" for their extramarital affairs. Baxter, tempted by the lure of a promotion, agrees to this arrangement, even if it means being kicked out at 11 pm.
Baxter is able to deal with this agreement until he realizes that the one girl (Shirley MacLaine) he has had his eye on, is the "girl friend" of his CEO. Drama ensues...
I think the best part about this movie is that its story and issues cross generations. This movie was made in 1960, and touched on some really daring topics for this era. Not only the prevalence of extramarital affairs, but also sexual harassment and suicide. This makes to movie sound somewhat dramatic and depressing, but it was actually a more light-hearted and comedic love story.
I wondered during the movie why no one had thought to remake this one, since that seems to be all Hollywood does these days. I would love to see it remade because the storyline is very relevant. Guy falls for unavailable girl. Girl falls for "bad boy" who breaks her heart. Men and women cheat on their significant others. Inter-office relationships (guilty).
The clip below shows Fran and Baxter at the office Christmas party, after Fran has learned of her lovers womanizing ways. Baxter, still trying to court Fran, makes the connection between her and the woman his boss bring back to the apartment when he sees the broken compact he had returned.
C.C. Baxter (Jack Lemmon) is a hard working bachelor, with a decent job in his company. However, he has a problem. His superiors have decided that his apartment makes the perfect "love shack" for their extramarital affairs. Baxter, tempted by the lure of a promotion, agrees to this arrangement, even if it means being kicked out at 11 pm.
Baxter is able to deal with this agreement until he realizes that the one girl (Shirley MacLaine) he has had his eye on, is the "girl friend" of his CEO. Drama ensues...
I think the best part about this movie is that its story and issues cross generations. This movie was made in 1960, and touched on some really daring topics for this era. Not only the prevalence of extramarital affairs, but also sexual harassment and suicide. This makes to movie sound somewhat dramatic and depressing, but it was actually a more light-hearted and comedic love story.
I wondered during the movie why no one had thought to remake this one, since that seems to be all Hollywood does these days. I would love to see it remade because the storyline is very relevant. Guy falls for unavailable girl. Girl falls for "bad boy" who breaks her heart. Men and women cheat on their significant others. Inter-office relationships (guilty).
The clip below shows Fran and Baxter at the office Christmas party, after Fran has learned of her lovers womanizing ways. Baxter, still trying to court Fran, makes the connection between her and the woman his boss bring back to the apartment when he sees the broken compact he had returned.
I do highly recommend this movie. It is a great date night movie as well, appealing to both guys and gals.
Did you know?
When to See It: In the mood for a comedy? See it! Great for a date night movie since it has a little of everything.
Run Time: Just under 2 hours
Did you know?
- This was the last B&W movie to win Best Picture at The Academy Awards. Schindler's List (1993) which won in 1994 was not completely B&W, some scenes were in color, like the girl in the red and the candle at the beginning.
- It was said that while filming the scene where C.C. Baxter sleeps in Central Park in the rain, Billy Wilder had to spray Jack Lemmon with anti-freeze to keep him from freezing.
- The nasal spray used by Jack Lemmon was actually milk. Real nasal spray would not have shown up on camera.
When to See It: In the mood for a comedy? See it! Great for a date night movie since it has a little of everything.
Run Time: Just under 2 hours
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