Blog #3 The Apartment

"The Apartment" was a fairly simple read. However, the storyline was quite cliche at times. I truly enjoyed the character, Bud; he is sarcastic, humorous, and will risk his personal and private life to please others to simply jump to the top of the rankings. When the script opened up with Bud describing his company, I was sure that the company had to be a big deal within the script. The concept of where he works, what kind of job he has, and who he works with completely works for the scripts scenario, characters, and style. "The Apartment" might be a a love story, but it is certainly something that most college students or college graduates can relate to; networking and trying to make one's way to the top of the pyramid. The script did an excellent job of showing how Bud can not say, "NO!" What works is also the dialogue with Bud. For example, when he meets Margie, he is a complete an utter jerk to her and exploits his carelessness for her or anything she really has to say.

Ex)

BUD
           Nothing.
                  (propelling her
                  toward the door)
           Just clear out, will you?

                        MARGIE
                  (pointing back)
           My shoes.

Bud reaches under the coffee table, where she left her
shoes, retrieves them.

                        MARGIE
                  (bitterly)
           Some lover you are. Some sexpot!




The script has many pro's, however, there are some things in the script
that simply do not work.  The party in the office where everyone
was drinking and dancing made the scenario seemed to be so unrealistic compared
to the already "awkward" scenario of Bud giving up his apartment so his co-
workers can have fun with their mistresses. I understand that this was a going
away for vacation Christmas party, but I simply think that this scene was the last
straw to show how unprofessional people are in the industry they work in.  The script
for sure makes men look like complete scum, and in some cases, in reality, men are. But
the Christmas party made the unprofessional idea become more redundant. I also don't
think the ending works.  I understand that American viewers have the perpetual trait to
have that happy ending, but Fran STINKS.  I don't understand why  someone like Bud
would still go for her in the ending.  I think she should have followed through with the
suicide and the ending should have consisted of Bud meeting someone in the near end.

Overall, the script was an easy read and entertaining.  As mentioned, the script has its
pros and cons, but it was pretty decent in the end.


Discussion Questions:

1) Do you think Bud should have stayed with Fran in the end.

2) I think this script was written at the perfect time (1959). Was this a good era
to write something more on the provocative side?