Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

What a shame. What a downright shame that this review - which I've put off since the release of The Apartment on DVD nearly two weeks ago - must now take on the saddening bent of a eulogy. For as we know all too well by now, thanks to the maddening hunger and subsequent overkill of the media, Jack Lemmon is no longer among us.

I was debating whether or not to write this entire piece as a tribute to Lemmon, who is easily my favorite actor of any generation (Cary Grant perhaps not withstanding), but came to the reasonable conclusion that it's really not necessary to do such a thing. Truly, Lemmon's work speaks for itself. And perhaps nowhere is his work more inspirational, more quintessential, more enjoyable to watch, than in Billy Wilder's 1960 classic, The Apartment.

The film is a cinematic tribute to the good guy that we all have it in ourselves to be, but all try to avoid being for fear of becoming trampled upon by the real world. Lemmon's C.C. Baxter is the seeming proof that nice guys - while often finishing last - eventually get their moment in the sun, too. And if that's not the grand prize, it should at least be some sort of consolation. We should all be so lucky as to end up with Shirley MaClaine, circa 1960.

In its opening scenes, some of the best ever recorded to film in my humble opinion, we are shown Baxter's life - complete with voiceover narration from the man himself. He shows us where he lives, where he works, and how he has found himself in an unbelievable (though understandable) position. Trying to get ahead in the business world, but lacking the aggressiveness or killer instinct that defines such a world, Baxter begins to 'loan' his apartment out to his superiors in the office. His place offers them a safe haven in which to conduct their extra-marital affairs, and in return they are quite thankful for the service he provides. They recommend him to the boss (Fred MacMurray), they push for his promotions - but it is he who spends the cold and lonely nights out on the street, waiting to be able to return to his home. Soon, so many people are vying for use of his apartment that he finds himself without a place to be all too often, and with neighbors that think he is some kind of medical (and sexual) marvel, judging from the frequency of the passionate sounds they here coming through his walls. And yet, every time Baxter tries to get out of the situation, to call the whole thing off, something happens (promotions, etc.) to keep it all going.

The picture thus far is incredible, but it actually manages to get better about 20 minutes in, as MaClaine makes her first appearance onscreen, playing the loveable office elevator attendant, Fran Kubelik. Maintaining a mild flirtation with Baxter and many other men around the office, she is nonetheless hopelessly in love with Baxter's married boss, Mr. Sheldrake (a name that crops up quite regularly in Wilder's films). Soon, Sheldrake wants his own key to Baxter's apartment, in exchange for a promotion. Complications ensue.

However, the glory of The Apartment isn't necessarily in its plot - though the plot is fantastic, as well as quite sexually risque by 1960 Hollywood standards. Rather, the true joy of this picture comes from watching Lemmon and MaClaine onscreen together, especially as they slowly fall in love. Theirs is a true chemistry, one of those magic movie couplings that producers dream about. The only thing that can in any way improve upon their natural romantic comedy chemistry would be the direction and the script itself. Thankfully, Billy Wilder (with assistance from Diamond on the script) more than adequately fills both roles. His comedy has rarely been sharper nor his romance more appealing. To say that this is his best film is to speak volumes of praise about it, since he is without a doubt one of the true masters of the medium. With Wilder, Lemmon, and MaClaine on board - not to mention the gorgeous new DVD letterboxed transfer - it's hard to find a better movie to spend an evening on.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8