Laura’s Rating: 5/5 Stars
★★★★★
I’m almost embarrassed to say that I had never seen Casablanca until recently. The movie won Best Picture in its day and features film giants Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Casablanca is ranked near the top of many film lists, including the #2 spot on American Film Institute’s 100 Greatest American Movies of All Time.
The Analysis:
Is Casablanca the perfect film? While I was worried Casablanca wouldn’t live up to the hype, it did not disappoint. This movie was released in 1942, yet the slick dialogue, interesting characters, and thoughtful plot don’t seem dated. In fact, other than the obvious wartime context tying it to the time period, the film seems far ahead of its time. The dialogue is witty and sharp, even all these years later. The delivery of many amusing lines is so dry that viewers could miss the humor unless paying attention closely. Casablanca has at least half a dozen iconic lines that continue to be quoted today. (Fun Fact: the famous line “Round up the usual suspects” was the inspiration for the title of another of my recently reviewed movies, The Usual Suspects.)
The character of Rick Blaine may just be the coolest on-screen personality I have ever seen. He’s often smoking a cigarette and runs a gin joint, yet he never drinks with customers. During a scene by the bar, a pretty girl asks Rick, “Will I see you tonight?” to which he responds, “I never make plans that far ahead.” He also has an advantageous relationship with local law enforcement and allows them to gamble at his club. These details add up to a picture of a confident, independent guy who remains detached from unnecessary conflict and drama. However, Rick also has a soft side that manages to surface. He calls a cab for that same woman at the bar after noticing she’s had too much to drink. He rigs a gambling game so that a poor couple can afford papers to America, and he also promises to pay his staff full salary while his bar is closed. Rick’s suave exterior and kind heart combine to produce a cool but likable protagonist.
The past plays an important role in Rick Blaine’s story and there are clear indicators of how it has shaped him. It is mentioned that he has settled in Casablanca in order to escape some unrevealed, dark past in the United States. Rick also indicates that he is not interested in politics, despite the fact that he ran guns to Ethiopia and fought against the fascists in Spain. Victor Laszlo notes that Rick was always on the side of the underdog and Renault comments that the winning side would have paid much better. These uphill battles in the past contribute to Rick’s cynical attitude today. When Rick and Ilsa were together in Paris, she called him Richard, but now, jaded by heartbreak, he goes by Rick. Multiple times in the beginning of the movie he repeats, “I stick my neck out for nobody.” Being hurt in the past, Rick has decided not to worry about or invest in anyone else. Yet, as the events of the film move forward, Rick is forced to question his apathetic attitude. With the world at war, can Rick continue to look out for only himself or must he consider how his actions affect the greater good?
The film manages to balance politics and patriotism with romance and humor. It doesn’t feel like a war movie, despite international conflict being the catalyst for many events in the film. It also isn’t strictly romance and avoids many of the classic romantic tropes we often see. The wisecracks between characters lighten the mood, ensuring that Casablanca never gets too heavy and serious. A must-see for film lovers of any genre. I say to Casablanca, “Here’s looking at you, kid.”
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