The Apartment was a great script. Wilder and Diamond did a fine job crafting together an excellent story in which the good far outweighed the bad, and I found it to be a very enjoyable read. The characters were authentic, each with their own set of flaws, and the way they interacted with one another was believable and entertaining. The central characters were well-developed, especially Bud, who immediately evokes empathy from the readers as he is constantly pushed around, unable to stand up for himself. As the story progresses we find his that his love interest, Fran, suffers from the same lack of assertiveness and self-worth, which interestingly is what keeps them apart. The story does a good job following how these two characters overcome their common problem and enemy with each other’s help. The script also excels when it comes to dialogue. It is often smart and funny, and it is layered with subtext.
All that being said, the script had its share of problems. It was immediately predictable, which I found to be its biggest flaw. It was always easy to see what was coming next. I also thought that it dragged in certain spots, especially in the second half, which made it run a little longer than was necessary. The jumble between comedy and drama also seemed confusing at times; what is generally a pretty funny story is intertwined with many serious themes such as suicide. However, the good of the Apartment certainly overcomes its shortcomings, making for a truly memorable read.
~Andrew Erdal
Discussion Questions:
1. McKee states that true character is revealed through choices a person makes. What do Bud’s choices reveal about his true character, and how does his character contrast with his characterization?
2. Do you agree with Weston’s argument that a director should not direct in “result” terms?
3 comments:
1. Bud is a very nice man, he tries not to cause people trouble sometimes he even is taken advantage of. While he is characterized as a pushover, he allows it in order to get what he wants from his colleagues. So his characterization and his actions do conflict.
1. Bud is a very nice man, he tries not to cause people trouble sometimes he even is taken advantage of. While he is characterized as a pushover, he allows it in order to get what he wants from his colleagues. So his characterization and his actions do conflict.
At first, Bud's character and characterization seem to be identical. He was a meek man who caved in under pressure. He allowed everyone to step all over him as long as he kept his good standings at work. However, his greatest test at the end of the story revealed Bud's true character. Even though his position was threatened, Bud chose to assert himself and defend his interests. We come to find that Bud cares more about Fran than he does about himself.
- Fernando Rosas
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