multi-criteria tournament (1 Viewer)

[Jim_K]

Rather watch: Raiders of the Lost Ark
More serious: The Apartment
Better art: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Better film: Raiders of the Lost Ark

 

[Paul_D]

Rather watch: Raiders of the Lost Ark, only just
More serious: The Apartment
Better art: The Apartment
Better film: The Apartment

 

[JenB]

Rather watch: Raiders of the Lost Ark
More serious: The Apartment
Better art: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Better film: Raiders of the Lost Ark

 

[Lew Crippen]

The Apartment X 4

 

[ChuckDeLa]

Rather watch: Raiders
More serious: umm, neither? Raiders, I guess
Better art: Raiders
Better film: Raiders

 

[Jeff_A]

Rather watch: Raiders (barely)
More serious: The Apartment
Better art: Raiders
Better film: Raiders

 

[Dome Vongvises]

Rather watch: Raiders of the Lost Ark
More serious: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Better art: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Better film: Raiders of the Lost Ark

 

[Brian Lawrence]

Rather watch: Raiders of the Lost Ark
More serious: The Apartment
Better art: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Better film: Raiders of the Lost Ark

 

[Brook K]

Rather watch: Raiders
More Serious: The Apartment
Better Art: Raiders
Better Film: The Apartment

 

[Steeve Bergeron]

Rather watch: Raiders of the Lost Ark
More serious: The Apartment
Better art: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Better film: Raiders of the Lost Ark

 

[Rain]

Rather watch: Raiders of the Lost Ark
More serious: neither of these is the least bit "serious"
Better art: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Better film: Raiders of the Lost Ark

 

[SteveGon]

Rather watch: Raiders of the Lost Ark
More serious: N/A
Better art: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Better film: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Sorry, George.

 

[Walter Kittel]

Rather Watch: Raider of the Lost Ark - Get out the popcorn!
More serious: The Apartment - its themes of social climbing, and the role of women in contemporary ( for the film ) society strike me as fairly serious.
Better Art: Raiders of the Lost Ark - mostly for its strong visuals, particularly in terms of framing and perspective.
Better Film: The Apartment - Wilder imbues the film with a tone and combines themes in a manner that I believe few directors are capable of achieving. Raiders is a 'purer' film that hits its mark, but I'll give the vote to The Apartment for its greater ambition, which it also hits with aplomb.
- Walter.

 

[Bill J]

Rather watch: Raiders of the Lost Ark
More serious: The Apartment
Better art: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Better film: Raiders of the Lost Ark

 

[Rob Tomlin]

Rather watch: Raiders of the Lost Ark
More serious: The Apartment
Better art: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Better film: Raiders of the Lost Ark

One problem that I have always had with The Apartment is that I never found Lemmon's character to be believable. The way he let people walk all over him, downright abusing him and his apartment, just wasn't believable.

Also, the manner in which all these married men openly discussed their extra-marital affairs, without hesitation or any worry that it might be wrong or improper, again seems less than realistic or believable (even for its time).

Although often touted as at least a partial comedy, more often than not, I simply felt uncomfortable while watching it.

 

[Paul_D]

It's as much a comedy as it is a drama, and I think that's what makes is so uncomfortable to watch. The comedy is so fundamentally linked to Lemmon's insecurities, and we empathise with him so strongly that we can't help feel sad while we laugh. It's a remarkable mix and IMO it's the perfect drama-comedy.
That's my take.

 

[Rob Tomlin]

It's as much a comedy as it is a drama, and I think that's what makes is so uncomfortable to watch. The comedy is so fundamentally linked to Lemmon's insecurities, and we empathise with him so strongly that we can't help feel sad while we laugh. It's a remarkable mix and IMO it's the perfect drama-comedy.

Well, you may empathise with him. I thought he was simply pathetic.

I have no problem classifying it as much a comedy as a drama. But, while you consider it a perfect blend of these elements, I think the combination, in the end, makes neither one of them work very well. I never found Lemmon's insecurities to be "funny", although it seemed clear that we were suppose to.

So, you are admitting that it is uncomfortable to watch?

 

[Paul_D]

It's one of the key elements of the film for me. IMO it's an indicator for how well the comedy meshes with the drama. If it wasn't uncomfortable or if it was too uncomfortable would show an imbalance between the two genres. As it is, I find it well positioned between the two.

 

[Rob Tomlin]

I see your point, but presenting a serious thing in a comedic way is at the film's core.

Agreed.
But, when the "comedic way" doesn't work (for me), neither does the movie as a whole.
BTW, love your screen caps of Black Narcissus!

 

[Rain]

BTW, love your screen caps of Black Narcissus!

You mean his cropped screenshots. :p)