Casablanca (1942)

Directed by Michael Curtiz

Starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman
Runtime 102min. - Rating: Approved4 Stars (out of 4)

"Casablanca" is the original entry in my series "The Greats".

Written 5/28/12

When I decided to dedicate a portion of my blog to the admiration of cinematic icons, I knew exactly where to start. In my opinion, "Casablanca" is the greatest film ever made. That's really something when you consider how much more valid my opinion is than everyone else's. Okay, maybe not.

"Casablanca's" story is not one of meticulous planning and effort. In fact, it was all sort of a happy accident. At the time, Humphrey Bogart had just finished his first starring role. No one could have imagined the legend he eventually became. The comic pairing of Bogart with Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre was established in "The Maltese Falcon", but it was "Casablanca" that made their work legendary. Director Michael Curtiz was a stalwart for Warner Bros. in those days, but still the film wasn't expected to be much more than good.

It happens rarely in any facet of life that unknown ingredients turn out to be a recipe for success, but that's exactly what happened with "Casablanca". Each actor involved had a dominating screen presence. The characters are deep and the drama is thick. This is a movie about true love, not the crap you see in romantic comedies. It was about fighting for who and what you believe in, even if it meant putting your life at stake.

Even if you haven't seen "Casablanca" the movie will feel familiar. The dialogue is full of iconic lines that have been parodied and impersonated but never replicated with their original poignancy.

• "Here's looking at you kid."
• "I think this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
• "Round up the usual suspects."
• "...you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But soon and for the rest of your life."
• "Play it again Sam." Not technically in the movie, but inspired by it. Thank Woody Allen for that one.

Another achievement of "Casablanca" is its emotional connections it makes with viewers on a non-romantic level. The film was made during WWII and though the story was set in Africa and France, German occupation had to be a serious concern for Americans. The film's hero, Rick Blaine, ran a restaurant called Rick's Café Américain, where his character served as a surrogate for American viewers. Rick was a free American who had lost that freedom. He had managed to open a successful business, but it was often under pressure from Nazis. His attempts to remain neutral were to no avail, so when Rick decided to fight back, the "Allied" viewers of the world sympathized.

Arguably, the most memorable scene in the movie didn't involve any of its stars but served as a microcosm of "Casablanca's" sentiment. Nazi officers in Rick's restaurant start drunkenly singing a patriotic song. The displaced French civilians, along with Rick's employees start singing the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, in response to the offense. The normally neutral Rick gives approval to this act. As their singing drowns out the German officers, Rick is punished by having his business shutdown and rampaged by the officers. It's one of the most gripping scenes in cinematic history.

Many people from my generation believe "Star Wars" is classic cinema and wouldn't consider watching a pre-1970 film, especially not one in black and white. Even those folks aren't immune to the charms of "Casablanca" if they just give it a chance. It's the perfect entry point for someone just developing a taste for classic films. Other great films such as "Citizen Kane" don't seem nearly as accessible to the novice cinephile.

Alas, if my opinion doesn't convince you to see the film, perhaps the writing of Roger Ebert will be more persuasive. Roger Ebert on Casablanca