Picture 33: The Apartment (1960)

The 1960s have arrived! This revolutionary decade brings yet another superstar in the form of tragicomedic genius Jack Lemmon. Then aged 35, he plays New York insurance clerk Calvin Clifford (C.C.) “Bud” Baxter. Still very much a bachelor, Bud uses his tennis racket as a spaghetti strainer.

Driven by capitalist conditioning, Bud is keen on getting promoted to the higher echelons of the insurance industry. He aims to reside on the higher floors of his vast office block, earn a higher salary and get access to the executive bathrooms. Such is his enthusiasm and willingness to schmooze, he starts to loan out his own apartment several nights per week to senior co-workers so they are able to conduct extramarital affairs.

He spends cold nights outside and annoys his confused neighbours with the constant visits but his self-sacrificing nature seems to always endure. This narrative twists, however, when Bud’s work crush is one of the unfortunate women involved in these apartmental activities. Believe it or not, the ensuing conflict of interest is enough material to create one of the best films ever made.

Unrequited love, betrayal, the triumph of patience, poetic justice and Lemmon’s improvisations follow. It manages to be enthralling and moving at the same time. Few pictures in history can match it. It deservedly lands a podium finish and is quite rightly one of Penelope Cruz’s all-time favourites. The 1960s are off to a flying start.

Rating: 10/10

Reflections:

1.     Don’t rely on romantic love for contentment.

2.    Wait long enough and virtue will win true.

Oscar Best Picture Rankings:

1. Casablanca (1943)

2. The Apartment (1960)

3. Rebecca (1940)

4. Ben-Hur (1959)

5. Lost Weekend (1945)

6. All About Eve (1950)

7. Hamlet (1948)

8. How Green Was My Valley (1941)

9. Gone With the Wind (1939)

10. Mrs. Miniver (1942)

11. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

12. Wings (1928)

13. Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)

14. You can’t take it with you (1938)

15. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

16. On the Waterfront (1954)

17. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

18. Marty (1955)

19. Cimarron (1931)

20. Grand Hotel (1932)

21. An American in Paris (1951)

22. From Here to Eternity (1953)

23. It Happened One Night (1934)

24. Gentleman’s Agreement (1947)

25. Cavalcade (1933)

26. The Life of Emile Zola (1937)

27. Going My Way (1944)

28. The Great Ziegfeld (1936)

29. All the King’s Men (1949)

30. Gigi (1958)

31. Around the World in 80 Days (1956)

32. The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)

33. The Broadway Melody (1929)

Previous or current ranking leaders are in bold.

With credit and thanks to the patrons of the Best Picture Film Club:

Dr Sophie Bloomfield

Dr Caspar Briault

Dr Kate Diomede

Dr Fionnuala Durrant

Dr Hannah Morrison

Dr Meera Radia