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Rating: 5 out of 5
There are some movies that you can straight up forget about, and then there are some that no matter how old they are will leave you in awe. Casablanca is that movie that will leave you in awe and might honestly be the greatest love story there is. It’s a movie that has been ranked as one of the greatest movies ever made in terms of story, dialogue, music, and characters. AFI, American Film Institute, ranked Casablanca in many of its categories from being #2 in 100 movies, #1 in 100 Passions, #2 in 100 Songs, #3 when their 100 movies were ranked again after 10 years along with having six of the 100 best movie quotes. Quite the accolades for a classic film. With all these accolades, I will be the first to admit that I was turned off by watching this movie. It took me years, even as an avid movie lover, to sit down and watch this movie. I would tell myself, “What makes this movie so great?” “It’s in black and white.” “No love story can be that great.” How I was so wrong. So very wrong. In the words of the main character, Rick Blaine, “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
The story of Casablanca is straightforward in the way that it presents itself yet draws on the world and society today. Maybe that is why it is so impactful today. The film is set during World War II, where Europeans are fleeing from the Germans who seek refuge in the United States. To get to the States, everyone has to go to Casablanca, and once they are there, they must obtain exit visas, which are really hard to come by. Refugees look at the planes take off from Casablanca in hopes of one day being on that plane. The hottest and most popular spot in the city is Rick’s Café, which is operated by Rick Blaine (Bogart), an exiled American who has become very cold and cynical. When two German couriers are killed, and the documents they were carrying are stolen, the city is turned upside down for them. One of Rick’s regulars, Ugarte, entrusts to him the very letters that were taken from the German couriers in hopes that he can sell them. Still, before he has the opportunity to do so, he is arrested. The scene is just another day in the world of Casablanca to Rick. During the commotion, Captain Renault (Rains), the Chief of Police, who is neutral in his political views, informs Rick that Victor Laszlo (Henreid), a resistance leader from Czechoslovakia, is in Casablanca and will do anything to get an exit visa. Still, Renault has been “told” by Major Strasser of the Gestapo to keep Laszlo in Casablanca. When Ilsa (Bergman), a former lover of Rick’s and Laszlo’s wife, shows up to his cafe one day, Rick’s world is turned upside down as he faces a tough challenge which will bring up unforeseen complications, old wounds from the past, heartache and excruciating decisions that might destroy the very reputation he worked so hard to build.
This script/screenplay is phenomenal and resonates with almost everyone that has been through a broken heart. When that old flame shows up again, memorable scenes and comments, and finally, political statements. The first aspect that resonates is getting over the broken heart. That shit sucks and is very painful. I saw Rick as my hero. Rick moved away from the place where his heart was broken and set up a new life away from the pain. Rick is a hero because boy was he pissed and became a cold man. As he always states, “I stick my neck out for no one.” That’s right, Rick. You speak the truth. Honestly, an idol for all broken heart men. The all about the “me, myself and I” type Like with life, it can really throw you a curveball. One that you never saw coming, yet the audience sees it coming. When Ilsa walks through the door in all her beauty, you think to yourself, “Oh, Damn! This doesn’t look good!” The character that showed the expression the best is Sam. Yet, you can’t take your eyes off Ilsa as she asks Sam to play the old song from back in the day in such a sweet voice. As Sam plays it, Rick storms out of his office to complain when he sees Ilsa again. I know the feeling when you see your ex, and you’re like, “Damn! I was hoping to never see you again.” Then Rick disappoints as he gets drunk and complains about seeing his former girl and then tries to win her back. How many of us have tried that move before? All along, the person has a new flame, but the flame is almost better than you in every way.
Even with the emotional baggage of the two main characters, the story plays on the political landscape and atmosphere. The Nazis have started invading other countries along with Paris. It is ironic that when the main character is American but just like the United States during WWII, it doesn’t help anyone and is neutral on all fronts. Even though he knows the Nazis are evil, he keeps himself out of their world and everyone else world. Yet the message on fighting against the Nazis is strong in this movie. One example is when the Nazi officers are singing “Die Wacht am Rhein” (“The Watch on the Rhine”). Laszlo rushes over to the band and orders them to play “La Marseillaise.” The band looks to Rick, who nods his head. Laszlo starts singing as his patriotic fervor grips the crowd, and everyone joins in, drowning out the Germans. Once again, this is profound as the United States decided to be neutral, yet comes to the aid of others like Britain.
The best aspect of the film is all the memorable quotes along with the dialogue and scenes between the characters. The characters play off each other very well. What more could you say about the chemistry between Bogart and Bergman? The two are perfect in their respective roles as former lovers. One that was hurt (Bogart) and the other (Bergman) with a sense of love and duty to her past. Yet the emotion between the two gives realization on your own past love. Another fantastic scene is between Rick and Renault. After the incident with the music, Renault is ordered to shut down Rick’s club for the night. Finding a reason, Renault shuts down the club for illegal gambling of all things. As Rick asks Renault, “How can you close me up? On what grounds?” Renault responds, “I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here.” As he finishes his statement, one of Rick’s employees hands Renault his winnings. Renault quickly grabs the money and pockets it while thanking the employee. Priceless.
The amount of quotes to come from this movie is mind-blowing. I personally didn’t know all the famous lines, and yet they were spoken at just the right moments in time of the film from:
- “Here’s looking at you, kid.”
- “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
- “Play it, Sam. Play “As Time Goes By.””
- “Round up the usual suspects.”
- “We’ll always have Paris.”
- “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.”
Enough can’t be said by the fantastic work of the actors/actresses of the film. Bogart, as Rick Blaine, gives an idol performance but one most men can relate to. Bogart plays Blaine as the hard-drinking American running a nightclub, which only looks at for himself. As he tells many people, “I don’t stick my neck out for no one.” You don’t know the reasons why he is like this, but Bogart pulls it off wonderfully as he seems to never smile at anyone. Not even a little smirk. Straight serious all the time. Yet, Rick moves so easily in the world of corruption and gambling; it makes it seem like he was born in that world. Even when confronted by the Nazis or French Resistance, Rick keeps his cool and never wavers. He cracks sarcastic jokes with a tone and expression that makes him seem he is absolutely serious. Even when one of his so-called “friends” gets arrested, he is so cold and keeps moving on like nothing had ever happened. Once again, as he states, “I don’t stick my neck out for no one.”
Ingrid Bergman, as the beautiful Ilsa Lund, is excellent as the female heroine. She is tender and loving but also strong and sympathetic. When she appears the first time on screen, if you were a man in the club, you would have to do a double-take at her beauty. Yet she elegantly walks through the club, stopping at Sam to play her favorite song. Sam is reluctant until she gives a heartfelt smile and says in an innocent voice, “Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By.” Throughout the film, Bergman is strong when dealing with Bogart. When Rick tries to explain himself from last night, she is cold but also keeps her charm and seductive ways in a strong way up. Yet, Bergman shows the caring features Ilsa has towards Rick while showing confusion in Ilsa’s heart.
The rest of the cast does is superb while adding even more elements to this already great movie. Henreid displays his serious side, willing to stand up to evil and not back down to what his character believes is right. Henreid shows no fear as he confronts the Nazis in a truly powerful scene. As the Nazis sing their anthem, Henreid has the band play the French National anthem. Rains is exceptionally charming, entertaining, and funny as Captain Louis Renault. Rains is serious at times and yet corrupt. His character is hilarious in playing both sides of the fence.
A perfect example is when Renault has to close Rick’s club. As people are leaving, he states that the reason was for illegal gambling. As Rick and Renault are talking about the crime, one of Rick’s employees walks over and hands Renault his winnings. Renault quickly stuffs the money in his jacket. Can’t hate on the hustle. Lastly, Wilson is the perfect wingman for Bogart. Wilson plays Sam as the caring piano player who wants to keep his boss safe. He is sometimes the voice of reason by making comments that would make you chuckle. The dialogue between Bogart and Wilson is priceless when Ilsa comes back into the picture.
Watching this film over and over again will never get old. Years can pass, and the movie will still be as good as ever in every way possible. Sometimes a classic film is the best movie to watch. The dialogue between the characters is what sets this movie apart, where it shows true acting. The emotional effect of seeing a former flame will always touch someone’s heart as we have all had a broken heart. No matter what mood you are in, this all-time classic will forever live on. In the words of Rick Blaine…….
“Here’s looking at you kid.”
