The Apartment
Watched 10 Jan 2025
As I have stated, I am trying to watch all of the Letterboxd Top 250 movies, and it’s going well—I’ve watched 12 so far. I didn’t want to review most of them at length, as I usually reserve that for new releases. However, I just watched a movie I NEED to discuss—a movie I only wish I could watch again for the first time.
That movie’s name is The Apartment (1960).
Where to even begin with this? My mood before watching it was one of exasperation. I had a rather bad day, and when I sat down to watch other Top 250 movies (Bicycle Thieves and Le Samouraï), I found myself worried that I’d never find a new movie (from the Top 250) that could be a 10/10. I began watching this film without expecting much, and I immediately loved the premise: A bachelor rents out his place to his work superiors having affairs? That alone had me interested and engaged, as I quickly picked up on the fact that this would be a romantic comedy.
What followed was me appreciating scene after scene as the movie built upon itself. I just fell in love with the goofy charm oozing from this film. Jack Lemmon is an excellent actor and carries the movie on his shoulders with his wit and charm. Shirley MacLaine was so captivating that I had to pause to remind myself she was playing a character.
At a certain point, I was sure I’d be rating this at least a 9/10. I could find no flaws, except for a slight contrivance, but it quickly dawned on me that life itself has contrivances and moments of luck. This small contrivance literally carries the second half of the film, and the payoff is so spectacular that I found myself giving this a 10/10 halfway through!
So here it is: This film is charming, funny, well-acted, well-paced, and wonderfully shot. I honestly can’t begin to express how much I adore this movie and how easily it pulled me out of my funk. I haven’t even touched on the other characters, but they fulfill their roles to perfection as well.
The saddest realization for me is that this would have been the perfect movie to watch on New Year’s Eve. But even so, this film is perfect at any time of year simply because of its brilliance!
I have not seen any of Billy Wilder’s other films, but I am beyond excited to check out the other five that are in the Top 250.
I adore this film, and it might easily go into my top 20 films of all time! I am not much for romantic comedies but this one hit the mark!
I rate this a 20/20!
Rewatched 14 Jan 2025
Watched this again and all I can say is this is one of those movies that changed my life!
Rewatched 25 Dec 2025
DrNecrow’s review published on Letterboxd:
This is the third time I have watched this film this year and over-all. It's the best romantic comedy of all time and the best New Years Eve movie of all time. I only watched it today because I also like the Christmas elements and could not wait to watch it again! I notice so many fun little details. It's truly an astounding film and earns it place in my top 25 films of all time at this point! :D
If you want to see my full review from the first time I watched it, you can find it here!
letterboxd.com/drnecrow/film/the-apartment/
“Movie‑wise, there has never been anything like The Apartment — love‑wise, laugh‑wise or otherwise‑wise!” (The tagline for the film)
As I have stated, I am trying to watch all of the Letterboxd Top 250 movies, and it’s going well—I’ve watched 12 so far. I didn’t want to review most of them at length, as I usually reserve that for new releases. However, I just watched a movie I NEED to discuss—a movie I only wish I could watch again for the first time.
That movie’s name is The Apartment (1960).
Where to even begin with this? My mood before watching it was one of exasperation. I had a rather bad day, and when I sat down to watch other Top 250 movies (Bicycle Thieves and Le Samouraï), I found myself worried that I’d never find a new movie (from the Top 250) that could be a 10/10. I began watching this film without expecting much, and I immediately loved the premise: A bachelor rents out his place to his work superiors having affairs? That alone had me interested and engaged, as I quickly picked up on the fact that this would be a romantic comedy.
What followed was me appreciating scene after scene as the movie built upon itself. I just fell in love with the goofy charm oozing from this film. Jack Lemmon is an excellent actor and carries the movie on his shoulders with his wit and charm. Shirley MacLaine was so captivating that I had to pause to remind myself she was playing a character.
At a certain point, I was sure I’d be rating this at least a 9/10. I could find no flaws, except for a slight contrivance, but it quickly dawned on me that life itself has contrivances and moments of luck. This small contrivance literally carries the second half of the film, and the payoff is so spectacular that I found myself giving this a 10/10 halfway through!
So here it is: This film is charming, funny, well-acted, well-paced, and wonderfully shot. I honestly can’t begin to express how much I adore this movie and how easily it pulled me out of my funk. I haven’t even touched on the other characters, but they fulfill their roles to perfection as well.
The saddest realization for me is that this would have been the perfect movie to watch on New Year’s Eve. But even so, this film is perfect at any time of year simply because of its brilliance!
I have not seen any of Billy Wilder’s other films, but I am beyond excited to check out the other five that are in the Top 250.
I adore this film, and it might easily go into my top 20 films of all time! I am not much for romantic comedies but this one hit the mark!
I rate this a 20/20!
Rewatched 14 Jan 2025
Watched this again and all I can say is this is one of those movies that changed my life!
Rewatched 25 Dec 2025
DrNecrow’s review published on Letterboxd:
This is the third time I have watched this film this year and over-all. It's the best romantic comedy of all time and the best New Years Eve movie of all time. I only watched it today because I also like the Christmas elements and could not wait to watch it again! I notice so many fun little details. It's truly an astounding film and earns it place in my top 25 films of all time at this point! :D
If you want to see my full review from the first time I watched it, you can find it here!
letterboxd.com/drnecrow/film/the-apartment/
“Movie‑wise, there has never been anything like The Apartment — love‑wise, laugh‑wise or otherwise‑wise!” (The tagline for the film)
Mini Review: I started The Apartment with low expectations but was immediately hooked by the premise: a bachelor rents his place to his work superiors having affairs. Scene after scene, I fell for its goofy charm. Jack Lemmon is brilliant, and Shirley MacLaine was so captivating I forgot she was acting. Despite a slight contrivance, the payoff is spectacular. It’s charming, funny, and perfectly made. I adore this film, and it pulled me out of my funk. It might even make my top 20 of all time!
More Reviews of The Apartment
fra paolo
Billy Wilder’s collaboration with IAL Diamond is a very dark tale of ambition and lust. For much of it, however, it plays as a light comedy, and the ending appears a happy one. ...
Geniasis
Billy Wilder’s The Apartment is less a romantic comedy than an inquiry into the conditions of freedom within an indifferent, mechanical society. The office, with its endless row...
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