Movie #44: The Apartment. Or really, how to succeed in business without really trying!

Title: The Apartment

Starring: Jack Lemon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray

Directed by: Billy Wilder

Number on the AFI List: 80

Year: 1960

Don't let my title fool you, this movie is nothing (or, not a lot) like the musical/movie How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. However, C. C. Baxter, played by Jack Lemon, does use his apartment as a means to rise to the top of Consolidated Life; he allows the executives of the company to use his apartment as a place where they can meet up with the women they're having affairs with. He wins their affections, too, and eventually becomes an executive assistant. I hate the subject matter. While Baxter is a forgivable character, misogyny reeks from this film at every turn. The only struggle for Fran Kubelick (a fantastic Shirley MacLaine in one of her earliest roles) is for her to choose fake love from the top executive, Mr. Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray), or from pushover Baxter. Yes, this movie has its sweet moments and is thoroughly entertaining, I just couldn't jump completely on board. 

I will say that its nice to see how acting is becoming more and more grounded; this movie was one of the first ones where I never found any of the acting over the top or unconvincing. 

Favorite moment: When the doctor is trying to wake Fran up from her drugged up stupor (trying not to give spoilers!)

Will I watch it again: Maybe.