Edie Adams, Fred MacMurray, Jack Kruschen

This satire about sex and rat race centers on a pushover company man, who lends his apartment to executives for their affairs until he falls for his boss' latest girlfriend.

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93% liked it

9,614 ratings

Critics

90% liked it

40 critics

Unrated, 2 hrs. 5 min.

Directed by: Billy Wilder

Release Date: January 1, 1960

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DVD Release Date: June 19, 2001

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Flixster Reviews (1,903)


  • March 17, 2009
    although im often miffed at how this film can be considered a comedy, im never puzzled by its reputation as a great film. billy wilder's execution of the seemingly limited plotline is masterful and both lemmon and maclaine are perfect in their roles. great romantic classic.
  • March 10, 2009
    Amidst all the unethical and immoral behaviour Lemmon's character shines a light that grows stronger as the movie progresses. Strongly recommended.
  • March 1, 2009
    There may be nothing to say about Jack Lemmon's awesomeness that has not been said, but wow can he carry a movie. The original (and better) Tom Hanks: sincere guy, best intentions but down on his luck and always between a rock and a hard place.

    The Apartment serves as a shinin...( read more)g example of this particular talent of Lemmon's, as Mr. Baxter (his character) is getting ahead in his company not on his work merits (though he seems to be a solid employee), but rather by lending his apartment to his bosses so they have a place to discretely cheat on their wives.

    The turning point in this film is one of the best: it went from romantic comedy to practically film noir - which might explain why Wilder shot it in black and white - at the exact moment where Mr. Baxter turns off the record when faced with a crisis in his apartment (I won't spoil it by telling you what that was). The note director Billy Wilder is making about diegetic versus extra-diegetic music is one thing (and quite forward looking for the time), but to see the movie's tone turn 180 degrees on a dime is stunning, and it was something I can't say I remember ever seeing done so well in a movie.

    I can't remember seeing Shirley MacLaine in a movie before this one, though I'm sure that I have. And I haven't done enough research to prove that Scorsese loves this film, but something about the tone suggested to me that he learned a lot from Wilder. Maybe I'll update this review down the road if I find that information, it was just a feeling I got.

    The Oscar winner for Best Picture of 1960 - no pedestrian year for movies - and with good reason, the Apartment is one of the best films you will ever watch, and if you haven't yet, do so. It is truly outstanding.
  • November 17, 2008
    One of the fascinating quirks about this movie is the darker-vained comedy than 'Some Like It Hot'To argue beetwen rather misses the point (both of them are excellent and must be seen)--what stands out is how The Apartment has grown in stature as one of the diminutive Hungarian e...( read more)migre's finest films.On the surface it's straight downtrodden-boy-meets-indifferent girl formula, but Wilder, who skipped Berlin as the Nazis took power, came possessed of a more savaged view of the world's workings. Jack Lemmon's hypochondriac Baxter is a friendless corporate climber, the object of affection, Shirley McLaine, an unstable lift girl having an affair with the CEO. Their meandering path to romance twists beetween notions prostitution (corporate and real)and even suicide. Meet-cute is not. Yet, somehow, the film remains optimistic about their chances
  • September 20, 2008
    Bud: You're not gonna bring anybody to my apartment.
    Sheldrake: I'm not just bringing anybody. I'm bringing Miss Kubelik.
    Bud: Especially not Miss Kubelik.
    Sheldrake: How's that again?
    Bud: No key.
    Sheldrake: Baxter, I picked you for my team because I thought you were a very...( read more) bright young man. You realize what you're doing? Not to me, but to yourself. Normally, it takes years to work your way up to the 27th floor, but it only takes 30 seconds to be out on the street again. You dig?
    Bud: I dig.
    Sheldrake: So what's it going to be? (Bud reaches into his pocket for a key and drops it on the desk) Now you're being bright.
    Bud: Thank you, sir. (He goes to his own office)
    Sheldrake: (entering Bud's adjoining office) Say, Baxter, you gave me the wrong key.
    Bud: No, I didn't.
    Sheldrake: But this is the key to the executive washroom.
    Bud: That's right, Mr. Sheldrake. I won't be needing it, because I'm all washed up around here.
    Sheldrake: What's gotten into you, Baxter?
    Bud: Just following doctor's orders. I've decided to become a mensch. You know what that means? A human being.
    Sheldrake: Now hold on, Baxter.
    Bud: Save it. The old payola won't work anymore. Goodbye, Mr. Sheldrake.


    It speaks for itself! absolute class when it comes to lines and top class acting from jack lemmon. good idea and directing from billy wilder. shirley maclaine is always great to watch also
  • November 3, 2009
    I just don't like the beggining of this movie. I like the rest of the parts though.
  • October 3, 2009
    Definitely a far cry from the romantic comedies of today.
  • September 20, 2009
    Billy Wilder's romantic comedy works an all aspects, from narration, character development and plot to direction, acting and script. Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray were awesome. The editing is great as well. A classic American gem not to be missed.

    87/100
  • September 5, 2009
    Even though it can be heavy at times, this movie is so much fun. Lemmon has a ton of charisma and McClaine is great.
  • September 5, 2009
    good & funny... sad about people having affairs & using nice people to get away with it...

Critic Reviews


August 1, 2001
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

There is a melancholy gulf over the holidays between those who have someplace to go, and those who do not. The Apartment is so affecting partly because of that buried reason. full review

View more The Apartment reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • dorinela85
    January 24, 2007
    one of the best love stories ever, without that mushy feeling that love stories tend to have. it's witty, sharp, funny and realistic.

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The Apartment Trivia


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