| The Apartment took me completely by surprise when I watched it a year-or-so ago. I've had a long-term love affair with Jack Lemmon, but honestly was not a fan of Shirley Maclaine, and was not expecting brilliance...but a nice little movie. Which, in essence, it was a nice movie. But, what I was not expecting were the many issues it dealt with, the power it put behind the most delicate of topics, and the overall dry optimism that it approached its story with. In short, The Apartment tells the story of a rather ambitious office worker who is both trying to find meaning in his life, and working his way up the career ladder. As he slowly begins to crack under the pressure and general "ickiness" of his life, things take odd turns, making for not only one of the most realistic human comedies, but also one of the funniest. Jack Lemmon is truly at the top of his consistently brilliant game in this one, capturing both the honest and humanity of his character, as well as the humor and warmth of the movie all at the same time. One of my personal favorite characters in film, and Lemmon brought it to life with such verve that it set him apart from every other character he had portrayed before, and would after. Although greatly different, one of his only performances that pushes the benchmark set by this one, is his turn in Glengarry Glen Ross...but, forgive me, I'm losing my point. Shirley Maclaine was stunning. Not only was she warm, endearing, and cutely hilarious, but she was so human and serious about this movie, that I went on the emotional ride she did right along with her. This performance caused an about-face for me on my views of Shirley, before finding her a bit "off" and overrated, I now understand what she once had. Though indescribable she had "it", and all of "it" was thrown into this role full-force. All in all, this movie combines honesty, warmth, love, hate, anger, fear, human beings and most of all; humor. One of the finest films ever made, both dramatic or comedic, it's truly a masterwork. |