#54 The Apartment (Wilder) at Alamo Drafthouse Valley Fair
For C.C. Baxter (played by Jack Lemmon), ambition turns his apartment into a hook up spot for his bosses and their mistresses. Baxter is a lonely insurance clerk in New York City looking to climb the corporate ladder. He falls into a scheme where he allows the executives at his firm to borrow his Upper West Side apartment for their trysts in return for promises of advancement. At first this arrangement feels harmless, but over time, Baxter isn’t just giving up his space, he's giving up his sense of dignity.
Fran Kubelik (played by Shirley MacLaine) is making a similar compromise in love. Fran works as the "elevator girl" at the same insurance company. She’s romantically involved with Mr. Sheldrake, Baxter’s married boss, who promises he will leave his wife for her only to later dismiss the idea entirely. That casual cruelty lands hardest on Christmas Eve, when Fran, overwhelmed by hurt, attempts to take her own life.
Fran Kubelik (played by Shirley MacLaine) is making a similar compromise in love. Fran works as the "elevator girl" at the same insurance company. She’s romantically involved with Mr. Sheldrake, Baxter’s married boss, who promises he will leave his wife for her only to later dismiss the idea entirely. That casual cruelty lands hardest on Christmas Eve, when Fran, overwhelmed by hurt, attempts to take her own life.
Critics note that this film's masterful blend of genres, razor sharp script, and moral depth are what make this one of the best films of all time. But, for me, it's MacLaine's performance. She's open, vulnerable, and deeply human, which is why the film’s tenderness feels earned rather than sentimental. And Wilder treats her with real care, allowing the film to be funny without ever making light of her pain.
By the end, the film isn’t really about career success or romantic rescue. It’s about learning how to say no. The Apartment argues that happiness comes from finally standing up for yourself, even if it costs you everything you thought you wanted.
By the end, the film isn’t really about career success or romantic rescue. It’s about learning how to say no. The Apartment argues that happiness comes from finally standing up for yourself, even if it costs you everything you thought you wanted.