Sketches: Jack Lemmon in The Apartment
I watched Billy Wilder’s The Apartment last night, the latest of many viewings. As good as the story and dialogue are, the players bring it all even more to life: Shirley MacClaine believable both as as the respectable girl next door and flawed wanderer; and Jack Lemmon as a doormat/schlub/corporate climber and lively, nice guy character.
The dialogue by Wilder and collaborator Diamond sparks and crackles, with a rhythm and cadence all it’s own, repeated phrases used effectively for humor and depth. The supporting players are perfect, especially Ray Walston and Fred MacMurray. Upon first seeing the latter in this movie, I was taken aback at what a jerk he was, having grown up knowing him as the gentle and kindly Dad on My Three Sons.
I found a thoughtful take on the movie, wherein blogger Will sees Wilder’s The Apartment as a precursor to today’s Mad Men.
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Hey - I heard an interview with an author the other night on the way home. Show wrote “Some like it Wilder (the life and controversial films of Billy Wilder)”
That might be worth a read.
Tom
Thanks, Tom, I’ll keep an eye out for it. Just release Feb. 1, it’s not at my library yet.
I you didn’t see it or read it yet, click Wilder’s name at the top of this post for some thoughts on a book on Wilder I read recently.