The Apartment

The Apartment (1960) starring Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray. Directed by Billy Wilder. C.C. Baxter (Lemmon) has a problem with his apartment. To further his ambitions at the insurance company where he works, he has allowed executives there to borrow his apartment for their illicit romantic trysts. The trouble really starts when he lends his apartment out to the head of personnel (MacMurray), and falls for the head of personnel's girlfriend (MacLaine). Part comedy, part drama, this is a movie that manages to be both touching and funny. Lemmon and MacLaine are superb. Lemmon has never been more appealing, and MacLaine has never been more lovely. The film won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. It's a joy to watch, and I highly recommend it. (English subtitles for the hearing-impaired are very legible.) Grade: A