MovieChat Forums > The Apartment (1960) Discussion > Corporate Climber?!?

Corporate Climber?!?

posted 9 years ago by aciolino
4 replies | jump to latest

Every time I read a description or synopsis of this film it inevitably describe's Lemmon's character (Baxter) as a "corporate climber," or "corporate go-getter," who lets his apartment out to superiors in exchange for advancement in the corporation.

There is no evidence for any of this in the film. He is anything BUT a corporate climber, or "user" -- in fact, it was merely accidental that he started lending out his place to begin with. At no time are we given any information, or does he say anything that would indicate that his letting out of his place is part of a plan to advance in the firm.

He's just an average guy, not overly ambitious at all. This is why we root for him. Wilder knew what he was doing.

[–] ghtx 9 years ago

I disagree. I think it is made pretty obvious that he is loaning out his apartment in exchange for his promotion. The movie mentions it several times in the beginning, and of course eventually he is promoted and he seems to enjoy it a lot (until the end).

[–] aciolino 9 years ago

Sorry, but I must respectfully disagree.

Did you hear the story about how he got "stuck" doing it once for a guy who needed a place to change and suddenly lots of guys were asking. "When you say 'Yes,' to one guy you can't suddenly start saying 'No.'" The only reason to tell that story is to make it clear that he lent his place out the first time innocently. Remember the look of surprise when he was told that his name was mentioned to Mr. Sheldrake? He wasn't even LOOKING for any favors.

These are not the actions of a "corporate climber."

Plus, on a personal level, the story is rendered more poignant and meaningful if he is just a decent guy caught in a web of deception and lies of those above him. His plight becomes a big "so what?" under that premise.

And look how easily he tosses away the biggest promotion of all. If he were TRULY a "corporate climber" he would have held onto that job and said, "Hey, she got what she wanted and he got what he wanted and I got what wanted."

[–] movieghoul 9 years ago

I'm with ghtx here. The guys he lends the apartment to make sure he gets great evaluations which could lead to promotion, which is what he anticipates when he's called to Sheldrake's office.

[–] aciolino 9 years ago

He did not expect ANYTHING from the first person he lent his apartment to, and then it was only for changing clothes. AFterward, he lent it out for nefarious purposes, but again, I point to his surprised look, when told his name was mentioned to Sheldrake. And again, he threw away the very job he supposedly wanted so badly. Why would a "corporate climber" do that??? He wouldn't. Don't see it.

You make it seem as if he, Baxter, chose to lend his place to these guys. He didn't. They sought HIM out.

Doesn't make sense.

And I repeat, doesn't the story lose a lot of it's poignancy and indeed, meaning, if Baxter is simply an ambitious creep, no different from the men he lends his place to? And all the comedy that arises out of the doctor thinking of him as a playboy, is lost.

Baxter as "user" is SO unlike the way Lemmon plays him, and of Wilder's writing. (imo)
To me, it makes for more drama (and comedy, which is the genius of Wilder) if Baxter/Lemmon is the "Everyman," caught up in the jungle of corporate shenanigans (to put it nicely).