THE APARTMENT (1960)

Film of the Day #224 - 25 Days of Christmas Movies #3

THE APARTMENT
1960 • Billy Wilder

Cast: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray, Ray Walston, Edie Adams, Jack Kruschen, David Lewis, Hope Holiday, Joan Shawlee, Naomi Stevens
Screenplay: Billy Wilder, I. A. L. Diamond
Cinematography: Joseph LaShelle
Music: Adolph Deutsch
Producer: Billy Wilder

United Artists

That's the way it crumbles... cookie-wise.

Jack Lemmon stars as C.C. Baxter, a mild-mannered insurance clerk who lends his apartment to his superiors for their extramarital affairs in hopes of climbing the corporate ladder. The plot takes an unexpected turn when Baxter discovers that the object of his affection, Miss Kubelik (Shirley MacLaine), is one of his boss's (Fred MacMurray) mistresses. Set during the holiday season, The Apartment unfolds as an unconventional Christmas movie, juxtaposing the festive cheer with the darker undertones of loneliness and toxic corporate culture. (It is a comedy, though, I swear.) As Baxter navigates office politics and unrequited love, the film explores the pursuit of genuine human connection.

The Christmas season serves as a backdrop, capturing the duality of the holiday experience. The film expertly navigates the spectrum of emotions associated with Christmas, from the jubilant to the melancholic. One notable example of the joyous side of Christmas is shown through the raucous office Christmas party, the likes of which would be normal on “Mad Men” but would get many people fired in 2023. The bustling atmosphere, cheerful tunes, and the exchange of gifts create a sense of merriment. We even see the philandering Mr. Sheldrake’s cozy Christmas morning with his family. However, loneliness is woven into the Christmas narrative. Both C.C. Baxter and Miss Kubelik embody the solitude that can accompany the season. Despite the festive surroundings, Baxter’s apartment becomes a symbol of isolation as he willingly lends it to his superiors for their affairs, sacrificing his personal space for professional gain, highlighting the contrast between external celebrations and internal emptiness. The character of Miss Kubelik also reflects the loneliness often felt during the holidays. As she grapples with her complicated relationship with Sheldrake and the consequences of her choices, the film underscores that Christmas can be a time of introspection and longing for meaningful connections.

The Apartment is more than just a comedy, delving into dark subjects like depression and suicide. The film serves as a thought-provoking (and funny) study of the moral ambiguities and sacrifices individuals make in the pursuit of love and success. Billy Wilder, a master storyteller, guides the audience through this with finesse. His direction seamlessly weaves humor into moments of introspection. Shirley MacLaine and Jack Lemmon deliver performances that elevate The Apartment to a cinematic masterpiece. MacLaine's portrayal of Fran Kubelik is a study of vulnerability and resilience. Her ability to convey the internal conflict is truly exceptional. Jack Lemmon's C.C. Baxter, the hapless yet endearing protagonist, showcases the actor's versatility as he seamlessly transitions between comedic charm and moments of genuine pathos. Fred MacMurray, in a departure from his family friendly role on “My Three Sons,” which debuted later that year, delivers an excellent performance as Mr. Sheldrake, the morally bankrupt executive. MacMurray's portrayal adds an extra layer of complexity to the film, as he navigates the blurred lines between professional ambition and personal morality.

Jack Kruschen's portrayal of Dr. Dreyfuss is nothing short of fantastic, establishing him as the moral compass and conscience of the film. Dr. Dreyfuss serves as the voice of reason. Dr. Dreyfuss is not merely a supporting character; he is the embodiment of integrity and compassion. Kruschen's performance is marked by a genuine warmth. But he’s also genuinely funny, as evidenced by his misunderstanding of what is truly going on in Baxter’s apartment. The core message of The Apartment is encapsulated in the Yiddish term Dreyfuss imparts on Baxter: "be a mensch.” He encourages Baxter to rise above his current lifestyle, urging him to prioritize decency and compassion over personal gain. Jack Kruschen should have won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar he was nominated for, and it’s a crime he didn’t. In a cast filled with stellar performances, Kruschen's portrayal stands out as a pivotal element in the film's success.

The Apartment remains a timeless exploration of the intersection between the desire for sex and the greed for money prevalent in American corporate environments. Billy Wilder's astute portrayal of the corporate world, where individuals are treated as commodities rather than valued employees, stands as a stark critique that still applies today. The theme of employees as tools reflects a cold and calculating perspective on human relationships within the corporate machinery. The Apartment exposes the dehumanizing aspects of corporate culture. Baxter, seemingly educated and skilled, finds himself reduced to a mere pawn in a larger game of power dynamics and personal gratification. His willingness to lend out his apartment for his superiors' extramarital affairs in the hopes of climbing the corporate ladder illustrates the dehumanizing compromises employees make.

Fran Kubelik is also symbol of the exploitation that pervades the corporate world. Fran, an elevator operator in the office building, falls victim to the predatory behavior of Sheldrake. Sheldrake exploits Fran for sexual gratification, further underscoring the theme of abuse of power dynamics. When she gives him a thoughtful Christmas present, he offers her money. It feels transactional, sex for money, which is insulting to Miss Kubelik in and of itself, but it also demonstrates that he didn’t even consider getting her a gift. To Sheldrake, she is disposable. She’s a thing for pleasure. He only commits to her when his wife finds out about his affairs and kicks him out.

The film is unnervingly prescient. It anticipated a future where the commodification of employees, the erosion of work-life balance, and the objectification of personal relationships would become increasingly prevalent in corporate settings. The Apartment is a sobering reminder that the issues it raised continue to resonate in modern discussions on workplace ethics. Maybe not the most cheerful Christmas-time movie, but it is funny. I promise.

- I absolutely adore you.
- Shut up and deal...

Awards & Notable Accomplishments

• Nominated for 10 Academy Awards

• Winner of 5 Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing

• AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs (#20)

Streaming: Fubo, MGM
Digital Rental/Purchase: Available at most digital retailers
Physical Media: Available on 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD