Billy Wilder was a renowned Austrian-American filmmaker and screenwriter who was one of the most influential directors of the twentieth century due to his unique approach to filmmaking and his contributions to the genres of film noir and romantic comedy He is widely considered one of the most influential directors in the history of the medium, with a career that spanned from 1924 until his death in 2002.
Born in Vienna, Austria on June 22, 1906, Wilder began his career writing for German films in the early 1920s. He was forced to flee Nazi Germany in 1933 and eventually settled in the United States, where he found success in Hollywood. After a brief stint in directing, Wilder began writing and directing under his own name, earning him two Academy Awards for Best Screenplay, and three more for Best Director. With films like Sunset Boulevard, Some Like It Hot, and The Apartment, Wilder cemented himself as one of the greatest directors of all time.
When discussing Wilder's work it is impossible to ignore his unique approach to filmmaking. Wilder successfully combined genres, creating films that were both whimsical and dark, and often relied heavily on satire and irony. He believed in maintaining a balance between comedy and drama, and never shied away from controversial subjects. His films also often featured a recurring motif of the underdog or outsider, which allowed him to explore the idea of characters finding solace in moments of darkness.
Here are five of the best examples of Billy Wilder's films:
1. Some Like It Hot (1959): This film is universally considered Wilder's masterpiece and one of the greatest films of all time. It tells the story of two jazz musicians who are forced to dress as women in order to flee from the mob and find themselves on a women-only cruise. The film perfectly balances comedy and drama, while still managing to be both hilarious and heartwarming.
2. The Apartment (1960): This romantic comedy-drama tells the story of a man who attempts to win the heart of a coworker by loaning her his apartment to use for romantic rendezvous. The film was a huge success and earned Wilder the Academy Award for Best Director.
3. Double Indemnity (1944): This classic film noir tells the story of an insurance salesman who gets caught up in a complicated murder plot. The film was a huge success and won Wilder an Academy Award for Best Screenplay.
4. Sunset Boulevard (1950): This film is a dark and chilling look at Hollywood from the perspective of a struggling screenwriter and a faded silent-film star. It earned Wilder an Academy Award for Best Screenplay and is considered one of the greatest films of all time.
5. The Seven Year Itch (1955): One of Wilder's most beloved comedies, this film stars Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell as a married couple who are tempted to stray from their marriage when an attractive woman moves into their apartment building. The film is both funny and thought-provoking, while managing to touch on themes of morality and temptation.