Oscar-Winning Classic The Apartment
Billy Wilder's timeless romantic comedy is coming to the Duke of York's Picturehouse in Brighton, starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. With its witty script and outstanding performances, this film is a must-see for movie lovers.
Dir: Billy Wilder
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray, Ray Walston, Jack Kruschen, David Lewis, Hope Holiday, Joan Shawlee
126 mins · 1960 · United States of America · Cert PG · English
IMDb 8.3/10 · Rotten Tomatoes 94% · Metacritic 94/100 · TMDB 8.2/10 · Trakt 82%
Awards: Won 5 Oscars. 26 wins & 8 nominations total
Billy Wilder, known for his cynical yet humorous approach to storytelling, directed and produced The Apartment, a 1960 American romantic comedy film. The movie stars Jack Lemmon as an insurance clerk who lends his apartment to his superiors for their extramarital affairs, and Shirley MacLaine as an elevator operator who becomes the object of his affection.
What is the film about? The Apartment tells the story of Bud Baxter, a minor clerk in a huge New York insurance company, who discovers a quick way to climb the corporate ladder by lending out his apartment to the executives as a place to take their mistresses. However, he soon finds himself dealing with the aftermath of their visits and becomes attracted to an elevator operator, unaware that she is having an affair with the head of personnel.
What kind of film is it? The Apartment is a comedy, drama, and romance film, with a runtime of 126 minutes, certified PG, and spoken in English. It is an American film, released in 1960, and has been widely acclaimed for its witty script and outstanding performances.
How was it received? The film has an impressive array of scores, including 8.3/10 on IMDb, 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 94/100 on Metacritic, 8.2/10 on TMDB, and 82% on Trakt. It won 5 Oscars and has been selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. The film has been praised for its ingenious direction, tender humor, and genuine pathos, with many considering it one of the greatest films ever made.
The screening of The Apartment will take place on Sunday, 6 December 2026, at the Duke of York's Picturehouse in Brighton. Tickets or details are available with the button beside this article.
Stills
What viewers say
NancyLDraper@gmail.com · 9/10
"Shut up and deal!" The four most (unlikely) romantic words in classical film. Nominated for 10 Oscars, winner of 5, this is a motion picture classic, that I was surprised to find, I'd never seen before. A wonderful combination of comedy and bleak humanity, all in a wonderful romance. Jack Lemmon is a master of comedic timing and delivery, but when the plot demands it, he can turn on a dime to dramatic perfection. Shirley MacLean, ever…
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christopher_brink · 8/10
Really not sure how I feel about this one--performances were amazing and left me disliking pretty much everybody; story was a very smart commentary on love and sex at the beginning of the sexual revolution--and maybe even still.
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LarZieJ · 10/10
<b>"That's the way it crumbles... cookie-wise."</b> First time rewatching "The Apartment" since I first saw it and I just had joined Letterboxd with an account and I must say, it is still as great as it was then. Billy Wilder knows people watching this know that 2 plus 2 is 4. He doesn't have to hold our hand to lead us through. That is why I simply love it that at the end Fran doesn't reply to Baxter's words and just tells him to play. I love…
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JoeyvanAwesome · 7/10
Good movie! The story is great. Didn't really expect the darker turn with the suicide attempt and all. I highly doubt a movie like this could be made in 2023. It feels like people would get offended... Anyway, really good way to pass the time on a rainy Sunday evening.
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juliosoft · 8/10
I remembered that it was fine, but it's very good, what script, what actors, what everything
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The8100 · 10/10
I liked this film. Great performances by Lemon and MacLaine and had a Mad Men feel to it.
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great_vc · 8/10
i'm not fan of old movies or say they never make them like this now but this movie was almost excellent. it started light weight and comedy feel and it ended up a bit dramatic but nevertheless the performances were beyond perfect. A must see for movie lovers
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tyluke · 9/10
“That’s the way it crumbles... cookie-wise. - C.C. Baxter The darkest of dark comedies. Another Wilder odd twisted tale of cynical folks living not so moral lives. 🍪 🔑🛌
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