Technically, the title The $238 Million Dollar Apartment should be read/said as “The 238 Million Dollar Dollar Apartment;” think ATM versus ATM Machine, only one is right and the other is redundant and silly. In order to avoid confusion, the title will be written as The 238 Million Dollar Apartment from here on out. With that done, what is Toby Hubner’s first documentary about, and is it any good?
The writer-director-subject begins by introducing himself as a United States expatriate and explains why he’s currently living in France. But strange news straight out of the Big Apple, the filmmaker’s old stomping grounds, brings him back Stateside. Said news was the sale of an apartment near Central Park for $238 million. The price astonishes Hubner, as it did so many citizens of the country. To better understand how things got this out of hand, he breaks out his camera and documents his quest to explore how the U.S. has sidelined the middle and lower classes. Through interviews with well-off friends, experts, and folks struggling to make ends meet, Hubner paints a horrifying picture. However, his discoveries prompt the filmmaker to reflect on his life, privilege, and what meritocracy is, as well as how it has evolved.
“…his quest to explore how the U.S. has sidelined the middle and lower classes.”
The 238 Million Dollar Apartment is very simple in its presentation and style. Excluding news footage and the like, Hubner films everything himself. This gives the production a truly indie feel that goes a long way toward helping its overall messaging. While a few minor tweaks could be made to make the transitions and editing smoother, there’s little fat here. The director knows exactly what he’s looking for and where to look. How and why? Well, because he comes from money but never felt right in that world. However, he still has friends and connections that provide him with access to areas that others cannot reach.
There’s an old saying that goes something like, “The more specific you write, the more relatable it is.” That holds true here. Hubner delving into his family’s history and upbringing sheds much-needed light on why this news shook him so deeply. Hubner is affable and upfront, and just as befuddled as the majority of people living in the States. This makes it easy to understand his point of view and connect with the film’s themes and messages.
The technical qualities of The 238 Million Dollar Apartment are as basic as it gets. But Hubner is a fun person to hang out with for an hour and a half and asks all the right questions. No, he does not offer solutions, but who can? However, Hubner at least illuminates the path to how the U.S. reached this tipping point in an enlightening and engaging way.
For more information, visit the official The $238 Million Dollar Apartment site.
"…enlightening and engaging..."
