Casablanca (1942)

Casablanca (1942)

8/10

Starring

Humphrey Bogart

Ingrid Bergman

Paul Henreid

Directed by Michael Curtiz

Here is a movie that has always found a way to remain at the top of the lists when it comes to the best movies ever made.

Casablanca crosses the genres of drama and romance. The acting is top-notch, and the movie’s screenplay is so well done that you’ll be torn in two for Ilsa. Humphrey Bogart (Rick) was the perfect prince charming and also a hero in every way, including love. Must add, the love story is very predictable.

Made in 1942, Casablanca is based on an unproduced play named Everybody Comes to Rick's by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison.

The movie’s ending is one that I love and something you can rewind to watch again. The dramatic scene, which shows sacrifice, love, and suspense, is unforgettable. The twist at the end is something the producers slipped in to catch the audience off guard, and it's something I really enjoyed. The main issue with the movie for me was its pacing, it at times seem to drag when it needed not to.

Casablanca’s lines (“Here’s looking at you, kid” and “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship”) have remained on the lips of many and have been fondly repeated in more movies than I can bet the producers ever dreamed.

So, what is this great movie about?

Casablanca’s plot is set during the early years of World War II. In Casablanca (Morocco), there is a man named Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) who owns the most popular hangout spot in the city. He has everything under control and even has influence over the police. Everything is fine until the past comes knocking.

Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman), an old lover of Rick, shows up at Rick’s nightclub, and sparks fly in both directions, as they lost contact (her fault) without any explanation.

Ilsa isn’t alone; with her is her husband, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), a renowned fugitive Czech Resistance leader.

The couple needs letters to escape to America—letters only Rick can give. So Rick is in a dilemma: help the woman he loves escape with her husband, or keep her in Casablanca.

Nominated for eight Academy Awards, Casablanca went home with three: Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The movie was a commercial success and has a strong cult following, which has hindered any plans for a sequel or the colorization of the film.

The movie’s cinematography was done by the same cinematographer from Frankenstein (1931), who made sure that every time we see Bergman, her eyes sparkle.

Casablanca is ranked 3rd on AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition). I highly recommend you experience Casablanca, an iconic movie that sets the trend for what a true romantic movie should be about.