''In the Heat of the Night'' (1967 film)- Review

Directed by: Norman Jewison
Released: 1967
Country: United States

Genre: Mystery, Drama, Crime

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review

When, one night, an industrialist is found murdered in Sparta, Mississipi, a policeman suspects Virgil Tibbs (played by Sidney Poitier), an African-American man who was waiting for a train at a nearby station. However, when it is revealed that Tibbs is actually a highly successful policeman from Philadelphia, the racist police chief, Gillespie (played by Rod Steiger), asks Tibbs to help him solve the case. Although initially reluctant, Tibbs eventually agrees to help Gillepsie, and in a town shadowed by racism, he manages to discover clues that will help him solve the mystery.

While ''In the Heat of the Night'' is an excellent mystery film- with clues surfacing from unexpected places, culminating in an unpredictable solution to the mystery- there is a great focus on the subject of racism. In spite of the fact that Tibbs is a well-known homicide expert, he is subjected to racial prejudice and racist remarks over and over again. You can see how humiliated and indignant he feels when he is suspected by the police of Sparta and when he is subjected to prejudice. His indignant response to a racist remark- ''They cal me Mr. Tibbs!''- is possibly one of the most famous quotes in film history. 

It is really sad the way he is often treated, but, no matter how indignant and humiliated he feels, he does not budge from his stance, from his determination to solve the puzzling, complicated mystery.

Another important character is, of course, Gillespie, played by Rod Steiger. Although initially unpleasant and prejudiced, he eventually learns to respect Tibbs and overcome his prejudices. Both Poitier and Steiger deliver excellent performances.

To sum it up, ''In the Heat of the Night'' is a very powerful film. Besides being an excellent mystery, it also explores a very important social issue.

''Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte'' (1964 film)- Review

Directed by: Robert Aldrich
Released: 1964
Country: United States

Genre: Psychological thriller, Mystery, Psychological horror

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review

The first season of the TV series 'Feud' chronicled the rivalry and feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford and that was what made me interested in ''Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte''. The early days of the production of the film has been depicted in the series, of how this film was planned as another film to star Crawford and Davis after the enormously successful ''What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?'', also directed by Robert Aldrich. However, the tension between the two stars kept increasing. Crawford, feeling that Davis controlled Aldrich and was trying to humiliate her, apparently feigned sickness and was replaced by Olivia de Havilland. I did not actually want to watch the film right now as, before watching it, I wanted to make myself fully familiar with the earlier works of the great stars starring in this film- besides Davis and de Havilland, Joseph Cotten, Mary Astor, Agnes Moorehead and Cecil Kellaway also appear in this film. However, my curiosity got the better of me and I ended up watching the film and admiring it.

Davis plays Charlotte. In 1927, she falls fallen in love with a married man, John (played by Bruce Dern) although she does not know that he is married. After being confronted by Charlotte's father (Victor Buono), the man, John, tells Charlotte that he is married. Charlotte is heartbroken. A party is going on in the house at that time and Charlotte appears with blood smeared on her white dress and when it is discovered that John is dead, all the people in the town starts suspecting that it was Charlotte who killed John.

Years pass. Charlotte's father has died. Charlotte is now a recluse, living all alone in the big house, tended by a housekeeper (played by Agnes Moorehead) who comes to clean the house everyday. The local doctor, Dr. Drew Bayliss (played by Joseph Cotten), occasionally visits her. People rarely go near that house as they are afraid of Charlotte. To this day, she clings to the memory of John. Threatened with the demolition of the house, Charlotte asks her cousin, Miriam (played by Olivia de Havilland), to come. Miriam comes and there is a reunion between the cousins after years. However, very soon, unexpected, startling things start happening and Charlotte keeps feeling the presence of John in the house at nights.

There is a Gothic atmosphere in some of the scenes and the film works as a perfect psychological horror. There are scenes in which Charlotte feels the presence of John and the atmosphere in those scenes are simply great. There are several twists and turns throughout the film, making the story a perfect mystery.

As for the performances, Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Agnes Moorehead, Joseph Cotten Mary Astor (playing John's widow) and Cecil Kellaway (who plays an investigator interested to know the real facts behind John's mysterious murder) are all great. Bette looks so very cute with her hair in those braids! Charlotte is so childlike and innocent! 

The thing about the film that keeps haunting me the most is the lovely song by Patti Page- ''Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte''. Those lyrics keep playing in my mind: ''Hush, hush sweet charlotte/ Charlotte, don't you cry/ Hush, hush, sweet Charlotte/ He'll love you till he dies/... You weep because you had a dream last night/ You dreamed that he said goodbye...'' John had written this lullaby for Charlotte all those years ago and she clings on to this lullaby just like clings on to John's memories.

''Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte'' is a layered, twisted and atmospheric film. I liked it very much and really admired the atmosphere.

 

''Bonnie and Clyde' (1967 film)- Review

Directed by: Arthur Penn
Released: 1967
Country: United States

Genre: Biographical, Crime, Drama

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review

''Bonnie and Clyde'' does not glorify the criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. However, it humanizes them. It humanizes them and makes the two characters real and human. While they are certainly outlaws and not people to be admired, the film takes us on a journey deep into the emotions of the characters.

Bonnie Parker, played by Faye Dunaway, longs for a better life. It is the Great Depression and Bonnie works as a waitress. However, she finds her life monotonous and wants more adventures in her life. She comes across Clyde Barrow- played by Warren Beatty- who has just come out of prison. Clyde robs banks, and thinking that her life will be much more adventurous if she is with Clyde, Bonnie joins him. Together, they rob banks- and soon they are joined by three more people: C. W. Moss- played by Michael J. Pollard; Buck Barrow, Clyde's brother, played by Gene Hackman; and Blanche Barrow, Buck's wife, played by Estelle Parsons. They become notorious, involving themselves in one crime after another. They make headlines, create a fear in people's minds, and the police keep looking for them.

''Bonnie and Clyde'' is, at times, a very intense film to watch. There is a lot of violence that are well-executed and seem real, resulting in a lot of suspense. There were times I looked away from the screen for a moment just because the violence felt way too real. There is heart throbbing suspense throughout the film.

Other than that, there is a lot of humor, a lot of romantic elements in the film. The relationship between Bonnie and Clyde develops over the course of the film, and the chemistry that develops between the two characters is excellent. There are times when their love for each other is so believable and touching that almost made me want to forget that they were criminals. Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty are excellent in their roles, humanizing and strengthening the characters they play. The three major supporting characters- played by Pollard, Hackman and Parsons- are developed really well as well. All five of them were nominated for the Academy Award for this film- with Estelle Parsons winning the award for Best Supporting Actress.

While the events of the film are very romanticized and the real Bonnie and Clyde were way more cruel than they are shown to be in the film, the film takes us on a deep journey into the lives of the characters it tells the story of. The ending has to one of the most intense, violent endings I have ever come across. ''Bonnie and Clyde'' does not glorify its title characters. Instead, the film humanizes two such notorious historic figures as Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. While definitely a crime film, the film also focuses a lot on the relationship between the titular characters. Perhaps they would have had a good, long life together had they not made the choice of becoming involved in crime, had the Great Depression not caused them to leave a hard, honest life behind. Perhaps.

''The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie'' (1969 film)- Review

Directed by: Ronald Neame
Released: 1969
Country: United Kingdom

Genre: Drama

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Review

For those of us belonging to the Harry Potter generation, the name of Maggie Smith is synonymous with that of Professor McGonagall. It was delightful to see a much younger Maggie Smith in a role as unique as that of Miss Jean Brodie in this film.

Miss Jean Brodie is a teacher teaching in an all-girls' school. Having a very romanticized view of the world, Miss Brodie often drifts away from the strict curriculum of the school, often teaching her students such things that the headmistress, Miss Mackay (Celia Johnson, who is much better known for her role as the protagonist in the lovely ''Brief Encounter''), disapproves of. However, Miss Brodie has her own charisma, her own strength, and she hand-picks girls from her students every year, teaching them special things. They are known as ''Miss Brodie's girls''. Unknown to most people but suspected by her special girls, she has an affair with the art teacher of the school, and also one with the music teacher. However, the woman whom we initially see as a slightly immature spinster turns out to have rather dangerous effects on the people around her- as her immature, over-romanticized view of the world and life lead her to do such things that might land those around her- and herself- in trouble. 

 Ah, what a character Miss Jean Brodie is! Maggie Smith does a perfect job portraying her. Her character development is excellent. Initially a woman who is immature and rather interesting, she eventually turns out to be a much more complex character, a person you cannot like and yet cannot hate, a person you don't want to pity but end up pitying, as we see how her immaturity, over-romanticized views can have such drastic effects, can lead to such dangerous consequences. The other actors gave excellent performances as well, and I especially admired Pamela Franklin, who plays Sandy, one of Miss Brodie's favorite students, and a character that eventually goes on to play a very important role in the story.

The plot development is also really good, as the story takes sudden turns and becomes much more complex than the idyllic story it had started as. The plot development takes place steadily, and one has to admire the film for that. 

I really liked this film- really, really liked it- but personally I think it would have been far more satisfying to me had there been characters I could admire more. I mean, the character development and plot development are done really well (Miss Jean Brodie is a very strong character, trust me), but I wish I could really love just one of the characters.  But other than that, I really liked the film. 

 

''Guess Who's Coming to Dinner'' (1967 film)- Review

Directed by: Stanley Kramer
Released: 1967
Country: United States

Genre: Comedy-drama

Main cast: Spencer Tracy, Sidney Poitier, Katherine Hepburn, Katherine Houghton, Cecil Kellaway, Beah Richards, Roy E. Glenn, Isabel Sanford

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review

Such a wonderful and thought-provoking film it is! ''Guess Who's Coming to Dinner'' tells the story of Joanna Drayton (Houghton), a girl from a progressive upper-middle class white family who has always been taught by her parents that there is no difference between a white person and a black person. The film is set in the 1960s, when interracial marriage was still illegal in many of the states of the United States. Joanna falls in love with John (Poitier), a highly educated and well-established African-American young man. When Joanna introduces John to her parents, her parents are surprisingly are in a dilemma, which is pretty much in contrast to their mentality which enables them not to judge people based on the color of their skin. Joanna waits for her parents' approval of the marriage. While Joanna's parents are definitely not racists, they still fear what their daughter might face if she marries John, they are uncertain about and afraid of the things that she might have to face from the society and the people around them. As the evening approaches, all of them get together, waiting for dinner: Joanna and her parents, John and her parents- who, like Joanna's parents, are also uncertain, and a family friend who warmly approves of the relationship. What will happen and what will truimph? The love between two human beings or the fear of the mentality of many of the people around them? 

''Guess Who's Coming to Dinner'' is definitely a thought-provoking film. While there is plenty of humor, there is also a great depth in the film, great character development- along with great performances by both the lead and the supporting cast. The story is definitely very interesting, the screenplay is wonderful, the subject matter is serious and thought-provoking. There are plenty of scenes that make us laugh, but at the same time, there are plenty of scenes and situations that make us think hard. Spanning just a single day, the film is about how, with the passage of time, the characters deal with the situation that has arisen and deal with their own dilemmas, providing us an insight into the minds of the characters to whom, over the course of the film, we get deeply attached. 

(Also, the song ''The Glory of Love'', with which the film begins, is beautiful and very, very memorable!). 

''Persona'' (1966 film)- Review

Directed by: Ingmar Bergman
Released: 1966
Country: Sweden

Genre: Drama, Thriller

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review

''Persona'' tells the story of two women, Elisabet, played by Liv Ullman, and Alma, played by Bibi Andersson. Elisabet, a famous actress, has suddenly stopped talking, and is being treated at a hospital. Alma, a nurse, has been assigned to take care of Elisabet. When Elisabet continues her silence, the doctor, a middle-aged woman, decides to send Elisabet- along with Alma- to her own seaside summer home, hoping that a change of atmosphere would help Elisabet recover. Following the doctor's instructions, Elisabet and Alma go to the summer home, and the two form a close bond. They spend cheerful days together, reading, writing, and playing, and while Elisabet seems happy, she does not talk. Alma, however, cheerily confides in Elisabet, talking continuously about this and that, and Elisabet looks happy to listen to her.

So the first few days seem normal and cheerful. However, as the two women spend days after days with each other, separated from the rest of the world, strange things seem to happen. Alma feels as if Elisabet's personality, her identity is suddenly emerging into her own, she often starts imagining herself as Elisabet. It sometimes seems as if Elisabet's identity is imposing itself on Alma's personality.

It is hard to explain this film using a few words. Yes, it is hard. While the first thirty minutes or so seem simple, the film eventually goes on to become complex and dreamy. There comes a point at which we are no longer sure of what is happening, if the things that we are seeing are actually happening or if they are part of a dream, or merely a hallucination. It is hard to get over a particular dream sequence, where Alma is sleeping and Elisabet walks into her room and then Alma wakes up and stands up, with Elisabet standing behind her. It is such a hauntingly impressive sequence, certainly one of the most memorable sequences from the film, if not the most. There are several other sequences that are just as haunting- yes, haunting is actually the right word to explain them- because at a point we seem to lose track of everything that is happening, we do not know where the film will lead us to, we do not know what conclusion we will come to. We do not even know if the scenes that we are being shown are actually happening or not.

All these being said, ''Persona'' is a complex yet beautiful cinematic achievement. All these dream sequences, the monologues, the cinematography- these are so impressive and memorable. Bibi Andersson's performance is simply perfect, while Liv Ullman is very impressive as well. There is a scene in which Alma is talking and then we see half of Elisabet's face imposing itself on Alma's face. So the face we are see in that scene is actually partly Alma's and partly Elisabet's. This is done so impeccably and impressively. Sure, this is a film that can interpreted in many ways, but it is also a film that I would recommend to everybody. And here is a piece of advice: don't try to interpret or figure things out while watching the film. This is a film whose every single second should be observed and admired. You will feel the urge to figure things out or interpret what story the film is actually trying to convey or develop your own theories, but do that after you have finished watching the film.

5 out of 5 

''What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?'' (1962 film)- Review

Directed by: Robert Aldrich
Released: 1962
Country: United States

Genre: Drama, psychological thriller, psychological horror

Cast: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Victor Buono, Maidie Norman

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review

''What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?'' might as well be a very difficult film to sit through. At times it can be heartbreaking and painful. Suspense and tension prevail throughout the film. At the same time, Bette Davis's character, 'Baby' Jane Hudson, managed to freak me out. Bette Davis's performance is more than splendid: it is highly noteworthy and strong, fleshing out the character of Baby Jane in a most efficient manner. Jane Hudson is definitely one of the creepiest characters I have personally ever come across. This is a character that is bound to get etched in your memories because it is so strongly developed. At the same time, Joan Crawford, as the gentle and tormented Blanche Hudson, gives a terrific performance as well. 

The story revolves around two sisters, Jane and Blanche Hudson. When they were children, Blanche was completely overlooked, while Jane earned success and fame as a singer. However, as they grew up, Blanche became a reputed film actress, while Jane's fame and success faded away. However, a sudden car accident left Blanche crippled and confined in a wheelchair. From then on, Jane started to take care of Blanche. Now they are middle-aged and Jane keeps Blanche away from the outside world, even preventing her from meeting neighbors and never showing her the fan mails that come to her. As time goes on, Jane falls into the depths of instability and psychological disorders, going as far as to torment Blanche in the worst possible ways, including starving her. How will Blanche escape from her mentally disturbed sister and her torments? 

I need to say that ''What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?'' kept me tensed all through. The suspense is developed excellently. Both the central characters are strongly developed. Over the course of time I started completely sympathizing with the character of Blanche. I desperately wanted her to get rid of the torture that she was going through, I kept hoping for something to happen- something miraculous- that could save her.

And what about Jane? What did I think of her? Now that is actually pretty hard to describe. Over the course of the film her actions started to disgust me, I kinda started hating her, but at the same time, there were a few scenes- a few very emotionally intense scenes- when I did pity her. And by the time the film ended, I did not exactly know what to feel. It was a strange mixture of disgust and pity. I pitied her. And I felt disgusted by what she did throughout film. It was a strange combination feelings. Bette Davis's performance is excellent, strongly developing the character and making her one of the most memorable film antagonists ever.

The extremely suspenseful film culminates in a very- very- memorable ending. I could never even imagine that we would be greeted by a twist this unexpected. I definitely won't go into details about it but I can tell you this: the ending will leave you with a combination of feelings that can include surprise and shock and pity.

This is an excellently-made, excellently-directed film that manages to maintains its suspenseful, gothic atmosphere all through. At the same time, the performances of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford contribute to make the film a perfect one. I loved every minute of it, I loved the suspenseful atmosphere, the excellent performances and the perfect character development. 

5 out of 5

''Dr. Strangelove'' (1964 movie)- Review

The titular character

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Released: 1964
Country: United States

Genre: Dark comedy, War

Cast: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review

I didn't really expect to love ''Dr Strangelove'' as much as I did. It is a bizarre film, there is no doubt in that, and yes, a great film; very entertaining, dryly and darkly humorous, and though it deals with a grim and fatal situation, the severity of the situation is overshadowed by the dry humor, the bizarreness and comedy that prevails throughout the film due to the actions and words of the characters and their behavior. The film never tries make us forget the serious situation that it deals with, but the dry humor, weirdness and wackiness definitely keeps us entertained and amused; I ended up loving this film!

Set during the Cold War, General Jack Ripper (Sterling Hayden) orders the airborne bombers to attack Russia with nuclear bombs. He does this without the permission (and knowledge) of his superiors. When they come to know about this, everybody, including the President, Merkin Muffley (Peter Sellers), are very concerned. They plan to call the bombers back, but the only way in which they can communicate with them is through a code that is known to none except Ripper himself. They think that it would be ridiculous to try all the possible codes, as it would take hours to try all of the codes. Worried and concerned, the President calls the Russian ambassador and informs him of the situation. The Russian ambassador informs them of something even more drastic: if any attack is made on Russia, a particular device made by the Russians will be triggered on automatically, which will cause the destruction of the entire plant and animal life of the world, leading to the destruction of life. Hearing this, everybody is scared and worried, but what steps can they take? For consultation, they have Dr. Strangelove (played by Peter Sellers), an ex-Nazi with an uncontrollable hand...

On the other hand, back in Ripper's office, Group Captain Mandrake (another role played by Peter Sellers) tries to convince Ripper to tell him the code, but to no avail...

These are the three major locations that we see throughout the film: the War Room, Ripper's office, and inside the aircrafts. In the War Room, there is an increasing amount of tension as the people inside the room start worrying about the drastic situations that will arise if Russia is attacked. In Ripper's office, we see Ripper and Mandrake, as Mandrake (unsuccessfully) tries to convince Ripper to call the bombers back, or to give him the code. And in the aircraft, the bombers keep approaching...

The film deals with a severe and drastic situations, but oh, I don't think I have ever seen a film like this one, a film that, without making us forget the severity of the situations, makes us so amused; it's such a hilarious, darkly comedic film. Stanley Kubrick is indeed one of the greatest directors ever (I am going to watch his most famous movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey, soon). Some very unforgettable bits from the film: General Turgidson and the Russian ambassador start fighting; they are interrupted by President Merkin Muffley, who says "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!" A perfect, amusing example of irony, isn't it? Dr Strangelove, a bizarre and odd character, a knowledgable scientist, is himself an extremely amusing character. The way he speaks, his expressions, and most notably, his uncontrollable hand- all these are all unforgettable. Peter Sellers's performance is AMAZING, as the three characters, Dr Strangelove, President Merkin Muffley, and Group Captain Mandrake. The ending... I didn't really expect it; it was so sudden and so unexpected!

And now a few words on the technical aspects. The cinematography is excellent, and I also loved the humming score; it's very memorable.

Overall, this film is unforgettable; though the story deals with a severe, dangerous situation, it never stops to be hilarious and is dryly, and darkly, comedic throughout. A really great film, one of the best films Kubrick made!

5 out of 5

''The Apartment'' (1960 movie)- Review

Directed by: Billy Wilder
Released: 1960
Country: United States

Genre: Comedy-drama

Cast: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray, Jack Kruschen

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review

With ''The Apartment'', I have watched three Billy Wilder films (the other two are ''The Lost Weekend'' and ''Sunset Boulevard''), and I think that he will definitely become one of my favorite directors. I'll begin by saying that I absolutely loved ''The Apartment''. I loved the way it was presented, I loved how it started in a funny, lighthearted manner but over the course of the film, it became a greatly thought-provoking, emotionally intense film. I loved the acting, especially the performances of Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. It's a great film, and yes, one of the best films I have ever seen. 

The film starts with a voice-over with which our protagonist, C. C. Baxter (Jack Lemmon) tells us about himself and the company in which he works. He works at a company where are there are more than thirty thousand employees. For this reason, when the office hours end, there is quite a ''traffic jam'' in the elevators. Baxter, however, does not have to fall victim to this elevator traffic jam, as he stays in the office, working for some more time before finally starting for his home. The reason? Is he workaholic? Well, no. Actually, he lets four of his superiors at the office use his apartment at the evening, for engaging in their extra-marital liaisons. Jack lets them use his apartment in return of promotion recommendations. He can only return to his apartment after his boss and girlfriend have left.

The first few scenes of the film deal with the wackiness of the situation. Baxter's neighbor can hear noises from his apartment every evening, leading him to think that he (Baxter) brings a different girl every night.  One of the first scenes in the film show that he has just returned to his apartment one evening and trying to get some rest, and then he receives a phone call from one of his office executives, asking for Jack's permission to use the apartment. Jack leaves his apartment and wanders around in the streets at the middle of the night. Whenever he wants to shift an appointment, he has to shift the appointments of the other three people as well, 
leaving him in a messy situation. But he has his strong ambitions, strong dreams, of getting promoted. Finally, after all the four executives recommend Baxter, the head of the company, Mr Sheldrake (Fred MacMurray) promotes him; however, Sheldrake tells him that he knows what goes on in his apartment, and in return of the promotion, he asks for the permission to use the apartment. Baxter gives the key to his office, and in return, Sheldrake gives him a ticket for a play.

The first scene in which we see Fran and Baxter, our two protagonists, together

Baxter asks an elevator operator of his office, Fran (Shirley MacLaine) to accompany him to the play. During the first scenes with Fran, her behavior, her style, makes us think that she is a very happy-go-lucky, carefree young woman. Fran replies that she has a date with somebody, but promises to meet Baxter for the play. Baxter is delighted, while Fran goes to meet her date. We are surprised to see that Fran's date is none other than Mr Sheldrake; it is Fran with whom Mr Sheldrake wants to go to Baxter's apartment. We come to know that Mr Sheldrake and Fran had once started an affair, and Sheldrake had repeatedly promised her that he would divorce his wife, which he hasn't yet. We can see that Fran is deeply in love with Mr Sheldrake, and is greatly depressed by the fact that everything around her is so messy; that she is in love with a married man, who has obligations and duties towards his family, his wife, his children. Though Fran says that she has to meet somebody, Sheldrake persuade her to come with him, while  Baxter waits for Fran outside the theater. She never arrives. 

Miss Olson, a secretary of Sheldrake, tells Fran that Sheldrake has always been doing these things: he picks up girls, starts an affair with them, tells them that he would divorce his wife, which he never does. Fran is devastated to learn this. She knows that she is just being used by Sheldrake; yet she loves him so deeply. She becomes very depressed, tired of life. On the other hand, Baxter, who clearly loves Fran, gets to know that the woman with whom Sheldrake visited his apartment was none other than Fran. Baxter gets sad and shocked.

The film delves deep into the feelings of these two characters, Baxter and Fran. When the film started, I thought that it would be a light, funny film. During the first scene with Baxter and Fran together, where they talk about random things pleasantly, I thought that the film might be a cheerful, romantic one. How wrong was I. From the scene where Fran meets Sheldrake in the restaurant, the film definitely changes it's tone. We can see the situation in a more serious way. It's not funny. Nothing that goes on in this film is actually funny; the film actually deals with very serious issues. Baxter, on one hand, does all these things, risking his reputation (his neighbors thinks that he is the one who is having fun with different girls every evening), only for promotion. He is a lonely person, living a messed-up life. But then he falls in love with Fran, and this only adds to his depression when he comes to learn that Fran is having an affair with Sheldrake.

Fran, on the other hand, loves Sheldrake deeply, and when he learns about his history with women, this only makes her more depressed, tired of her life. She had been suffering from a long time, wondering why Sheldrake wanted to continue their relationship yet wasn't divorcing his wife. Fran and Baxter are both greatly troubled by loneliness, by depression; life is definitely not smooth for them. Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine's performances are really unforgettable.

All the three Wilder films that I have watched so far deals with protagonists who are in messy, troubled situations. ''The Lost Weekend'' showed the protagonist having a strong alcohol addiction, dealing with his depression as he knows that this addiction is ruining his life and his career. ''Sunset Boulevard'' showed us a woman who is obsessed with the past, obsessed with her past fame, and the male protagonist who is manipulated by that woman; both of their lives were troubled, messy. And here, in ''The Apartment'', we have two characters, two extremely memorable characters, Fran and Baxter; life has not quite been smooth for them.

Is ''The Apartment'' actually meant as a comedy-drama? It deals with extremely dark, depressing situations but it has enough funny elements to make us laugh out loud.  ''The Apartment'' is a very touching, emotionally intense film. It does have lighthearted, funny elements scattered throughout, but ultimately, it is story dealing with the troubles, depression, feelings of the two protagonists. I have loved all the three Billy Wilder films that I have watched so far, and though I had loved ''Sunset Boulevard'' more than ''The Apartment'', these two films will definitely be two of my all-time favorite films.

5 out of 5