A man tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue.
At times we’re just a whisker away from out-and-out tragedy. It’s a rare, brave comedy that’ll do that.
This really is a film of ever increasing returns.
illy Wilder's The Apartment (1960) is a big-city satire with a romantic heart of gold: it's a welcome re-release, and for those who love the style of Mad Men, or Richard Yates's 1961 novel Revolutionary Road (and Sam Mendes's fine screen adaptation) it's a must.
The more you see it, the more desperate the film becomes – yet you never tire of it.
In truth, The Apartment is a wise, sophisticated, grown-up work from a filmmaker who embodied all those qualities himself.
Beautifully written and directed by the great Billy Wilder, bittersweet and heartfelt, this is sheer delight. Treat yourself and catch it on the big screen.
A welcome return to the big screen of Wilder's masterly Brechtian fable.
What results is a timeless, multiple Oscar-winning classic that continues to resonate.
Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Saturday July 28, 2012, until Monday July 30, 2012. More info: www.filmhousecinema.com
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow from Wednesday August 1, 2012, until Thursday August 2, 2012. More info: http://www.glasgowfilm.org/theatre/