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ITP Classic
The Apartment (1960)
*ing: Jack Lemmon and Shirley Maclaine
Directed by Billy Wilder
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Billy
Wilder's The Apartment is a memorable movie for a number of reasons,
which have been discussed by movie critics, appreciated by the academy
(it won five Oscars in major categories) and cherished by generations
of movie lovers, yet the first thing that would strike a desi viewer
is the mention of Pakistan in the opening monologue. For once not
as a harbinger of terrorism (the phrase wasn't understood in its connotation
back then) but in the context of some inane reflection by the male
lead on the dynamics of the city of New York. Makes one almost nostalgic
for an era, most of us weren't even born in.
The premise for the movie is quite interesting and must've been considered
quite racy for its time. Baxter (Jack Lemmon) is a clerk at an insurance
company whose apartment serves as a love nest for his adulterous executives.
He juggles his client's conflicting and at times outrageous demands
while letting his neighbours think that he is a playboy who makes
merry with a different woman each night. The hard work (sleeping in
a park at night) pays off and Baxter climbs up the corporate ladder
in very little time. Life seems to be a smooth sail until Baxter finds
out that the object of his fancy, Fran (Shirley Maclaine) is the mistress
of the company director Mr. Sheldrake. Upon finding out the colourful
history of the married Mr. Sheldrake, Fran tries to commit suicide
but is rescued by Baxter and the two subsequently fall in love. |
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The movie climaxes with Baxter's having to make a choice between his
newly acquired position in the company and the love of his life. What
he ultimately chooses might be fairly obvious to all but it is the
way the story and dialogues are written that make this movie a treat
to watch. Even while touching upon serious like suicide, loneliness,
adultery, corporate cut throats and the wrong choices one makes in
life, the movie retains a feel good factor and occasionally throws
cracking one liners.
Other than the intelligently written script, credit goes to the actors
who make their characters come to life. Jack Lemmon's performance
is subtle and nuanced and while there are genuinely funny moments
they aren't over the top in the tradition of slapstick. Shirely Maclaine
plays a neurotic yet lovable character who exudes natural warmth and
radiance. The supporting characters such as the neighbours, the landlady
and the office staff are nicely fleshed out and get to deliver some
brilliant lines.
It is not possible to watch The Apartment without comparing and contrasting
its depiction of the ruthless corporate world with today's scenario.
While the mechanics of corporate climbing and subtle arm twisting
may have changed over the last half century, the ethos certainly hasn't.
Principles like love and honour are still compromised upon for materialistic
gains. Dealing with these essential elements of human nature along
with a poignant commentary on societal hypocrisy vis a vis adultery
is what makes this film such a timeless classic. On the other hand,
some of the supporting characters like the nosy neighbours, the snooty
secretary, the 'honourable' brother-in-law and the trusting wife seem
to have lost their relevance to Hollywood films of today but are very
much a part of the desi frame of reference.
One wishes that more movies like The Apartment were made today and
in certain respects movies like this are no longer made. Satire as
a genre is not very popular today and it is rare to find a movie that
balances comedy and drama as deftly as The Apartment. It is also very
rare to find characters who are likeable and make choices that reflect
strength of character (while never glossing over their flaws). Having
said that one wishes that a remake for The Apartment had better not
be considered; for it will be very difficult to better or even match
the genius of the original.
--Mariam Khurram
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