It started as a simple idea—watch every Best Picture Oscar winner, year by year, and see what stories Hollywood thought were worth celebrating. Our journey began with “The Apartment” (1960), a film that surprised us with its depth, humor, and relevance, even decades later.
A Black-and-White Beginning We kicked things off with a black-and-white classic. At first, the lack of color felt jarring, but within moments, the film’s lighting and framing drew us in. “Black and white can actually be quite beautiful,” Steve noted, and this film proved it. The camera work was simple but expertly done, letting the story and performances shine.
Storytelling That Stands the Test of Time What struck us most was how “The Apartment” balanced comedy and drama. The plot—an office worker lending his apartment to executives for their affairs felt daring for 1960. “I was surprised by the subject matter,” Steve admitted. The film didn’t shy away from tough topics, including loneliness, ambition, and even attempted suicide. Yet, it never lost its sense of humor or humanity.
Characters with Real Arcs Jack Lemmon’s Baxter is no perfect hero. He’s ambitious, a bit of a doormat, and slow to stand up for himself. But by the end, he takes his power back—symbolized by reclaiming his apartment key. Fran, played by Shirley MacLaine, also grows, realizing she deserves more than being someone’s secret. “The key was also a key to power in a way,” we observed, highlighting the film’s subtle symbolism.
Sharp Dialogue and Subtle Comedy The writing sparkled with wit and subtext. “The use of the card game to represent the state of their relationship… the screenplay was very, very nice,” we agreed. The film’s humor, sometimes risqué for its time, kept us engaged, while the dramatic turns made us care deeply about the characters.
A Mirror to Its Era—and Ours Watching “The Apartment” was also a window into the past: office culture, gender roles, and even the way people smoked and drank at work. Yet, the themes of power, integrity, and longing for connection still resonate. “It’s a timeless story that everyone can relate to,” we concluded.
Final Thoughts We didn’t expect to be so moved by a 1960 comedy-drama, but “The Apartment” set a high bar for the rest of our Oscars Project. It’s a film that rewards close watching, full of visual clues and layered performances. If you haven’t seen it, give it a try, you might be surprised, too.
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