I rented this three days ago and watched it four times in the 48 hours I had available. Every single time, I appreciated the move more. I'm planning to rent it again tonight and watch it with my husband. I think this is one of the most poetic romantic comedies I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Billy Wilder's writing and direction are beyond words (at least my words). He has such attention to detail. (small spoiler alert - all through the film there are subtle previews for big plot points. One example is the fact that it is necessary to use matches to light the stove. We experience Mr. Baxter lighting the match for the stove several times before the scene with the gas smell, and so we've been primed to get the twist of plot when it happens. It's the same with the executive washroom key and several other things as well.) Jack Lemmon is stellar as C.C. Baxter. He's so noble that I can't help falling in love with him myself. Letting the people in the office and the apartment complex think bad things about him so they will think not-quite-so-bad things about her is just darling. Fred MacMurray, of course, nails his role. There's no surprise there. He can play anything from an insurance salesman killing someone on practically a whim to an absent minded professor, and he IS the nasty, jerk-wad, two-timing, philandering boss creapo to a T. Shirley MacLaine was beyond charming. All the side characters were played beautifully as well. My only regret is that I'm almost fifty years old and I didn't watch this film until this week.

The acting is great, including that of the supporting cast. Exaggerated at times, but after all, it’s satire. The witty screenplay by Billy Wilder and I. A. L. Diamond interweaves happiness, sadness, and the brief moments & little things that say a lot about our lives. For example, Miss Kubelik’s reference at a Chinese restaurant to “the same sauce, sweet and sour” is her way of commenting on the “sweet and sour” relationship she’s been in, and the broken mirror in her compact reflects how she feels. Recurring elements such as a record album by the piano player at the restaurant serve as signposts for viewers and links among the characters.

Some motifs occur many times, like the keys to the apartment and the executive washroom, which move among the employees of Consolidated Life. Others show up just twice, such as a tennis racket used as a spaghetti strainer, or the idea of sending someone a fruitcake every Christmas. Some references mark the times, such as TV ads for cigarettes, The Untouchables on Thursday evening, and the original Broadway production of The Music Man.

Wilder said this film was inspired by a scene in the English movie Brief Encounter (1946), in which a man takes the woman he’s seeing to the apartment of a friend. The friend returns early, and the woman goes out the back way. The return of the key in that film evolved into all the business about keys in The Apartment.

The word "spiffy" must've been created to describe this Arrow Blu-ray edition of THE APARTMENT, because that's exactly what it is.

As a huge movie fan, I'm embarrassed that I'd only seen the film one time. Until yesterday, when I finally opened this package and watched it straight through.

The movie itself is stunning -- two hours that seems more like one. Poignant, funny, touching. And the Blu-ray is also stunning -- crisp black-and-white transfer, crystal clear sound. Lots of great bonus features on the disc.

And the packaging -- wow. Lovely artwork, dynamite (hardcover!) book.

What does it say when a movie from 1960 is the best movie I've seen this year, in 2019? (and I've seen many) THE APARTMENT is a movie that actually deserved to win the Best Picture Oscar.

A great new transfer of a great old film. This is classic Wilder/Diamond - beautifully and simply directed by Wilder, and acted brilliantly by Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, and Fred MacMurray and the supporting players, gorgeously shot by Joseph LaShelle, with great sets and costumes and a fine score by Adolph Deutsch. As unique and fresh today as it was the day it came out in terms of its tightrope act balancing drama and comedy, they simply do not know how to write films like this anymore. The dialogue puts any modern original film to shame, and so do the actors put to shame all of today's mumbling idiots - it's so nice to hear people speaking up and so you can actually understand them - 90% of what I see today I can't understand a word of. Dear today's actors: Watch Mr. Lemmon and Ms. MacLaine and learn. This new transfer is miles better than the previous Blu-ray, which I was not all that fond of. Too bad there seems to have been a screw-up somewhere with the Amazon copies - thankfully I got mine. But just a note to the two creeps trying to gouge this title here: You are disgusting. I recommend everyone writing those two dealers a note and letting them know what you think of them - I know I did.

This was definitely a unique movie, but the plot is messed up. People are calling this guy "noble", but he's aiding in immorality and is a pushover whenever anyone mentions they *might* help his career. He's abusing the system and the people in power are abusing him. He'll do immoral things just to get to the top and I don't see that as heroic, unfortunately. His storyline is kind of a "how far would you go in order to get what you want". However, in the end, he finally takes a stand for himself and his principles.

The female lead is equally as culpable, equally as much of a pushover... which I suppose makes them a good match. She's caught in the web of Narcissistic gaslighting and abuse and can't seem to find the exit. Narcissists often have affairs while married, so it was interesting to see it from the perspective of "the other woman". She's got a good guy who likes her and treats her well, but (true to someone under Narcisstic influence) she throws away the advances of the "noble" character in favor of the manipulator. The movie doesn't really finish her storyline, but we're left to assume how things turn out.

All in all, it was interesting and unique. I probably would not watch it again because of the twisted morals of all involved.

Exceeded expectations. A must own for film lovers everywhere. I realize it's a tough buy at $50 but if you see it for less especially at 50% , buy it. If you get the limited edition that is icing on the cake . When they eventually release the standard edition you will not be disappointed.
The care taken to restore the film and include the book was wonderful. This type of care is usualy reserved for the British Arrow releases and other fine British Film companies. This particular release makes a case that it is possible for other companies other than Criterion to help audiences appreciate classic cinema. The film is not dated and the black and white cinematography looks crisp and clean

The Apartment has always been on my "top 10 favorite movies of all time" list. Repeated viewings every year are akin to revisiting a dear old friend. It is the perfect movie to watch during that week you have between Christmas and New Year's, which is when the story basically takes place. Director Billy Wilder's masterpiece evenly balances drama and pathos, comedy and poignancy. All the characters are beautifully rendered; Jack Lemmon as nice guy/schnook C.C. Baxter, Shirley MacLaine as the sweet/gullible Fran Kubelik and Fred MacMurray as the devious/despicable Jeff Sheldrake. Even the supporting characters are standouts: Jack Kruschen as the delightful neighbor and friend, Dr. Dreyfuss, Hope Holiday as the sad/lonely Mrs.McDougal, Edie Adams as the vengeful Miss Olsen and Ray Walston, David Lewis, Willard Waterman and David White as the four department managers at the insurance company where Baxter works.
Spend some time with these characters over the holidays; you're almost guaranteed to want to make a return visit!

I don't have much to add that others haven't said, but I had to throw in my two cents for one of my favorite classics. It first caught my eye at the library when I was a grad student living in my first apartment - get it? - and I was utterly taken with the whole thing: the story, the dialogue, New York on cold, windy November evenings - and of course, Mr. Baxter's apartment. Every detail intrigues me as he walks around cleaning up after people, trying to enjoy a TV dinner alone, and finally singing over spaghetti ("wait till you see me serve the meatballs!" - whoosh goes the tennis racket). Fifteen years later I'm still as smitten as Miss Kubelik... must have watched this movie over 200 times. Jack and Shirley never grow old. Ah well. Of course they were much younger then.