CASABLANCA

I remember the first time I was going to visit San Francisco. Everyone said, “Oh you are going to love it”, “Oh you are never going to want to leave” and “You will want to move there”. No one had a negative thing to say about the place. Then I got there, and it was dirty, cold, and had so many street people requesting money that I never felt safe. It was not any place I would ever want to live. I have always thought that viewing Casablanca would be a similar experience. It was afforded so many accolades that I knew I could only be let down. Casablanca turned out not to be San Francisco! There is indeed a reason why this film is so revered, and that is because it truly is exquisite. Even knowing in advance how it was going to end didn’t take away from the experience of finally watching the movie awarded the Best Picture Oscar in 1944.


Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman were superb, and their chemistry was undeniable. The story itself was a solid one peppered with a perfect amount of wit and humor. Claude Raines as the ever-malleable Capt. Renault was splendid. The story takes place during the early days of World War II. The central theme of the film is one of loyalty. These loyalties are both between all the central characters and loyalties to political and social causes and countries. At its core, the movie is a love story, and a damn fine one.

The movie is fantastically directed by Michael Curtiz. Much of the story takes place within Rick’s Café Americain, and Curtiz uses the camera to make the viewer feel they are simply another patron within the café, walking around. The visuals have a fluidity that is stunning and his use of light and dark as it matches the mood of particular scenes only enhanced the entire experience. The pacing was excellent, and the editing was in my opinion, flawless. This movie is a well-respected and loved classic for good reason. I’m glad I’m finally woke to it! “Here’s looking at you, kid!”