Casablanca
4/4
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Sydney Greenstreet, Conrad Veidt, Dooley Wilson, S. Z. Sakall, Peter Lorre
Rated PG for Mild Violence
What can I say about "Casablanca" that has not already been said? One of the most famous, if not the most famous movies of all time ("Gone with the Wind" and "The Godfather" give it a run for its money), there is little that an amateur film critic like me can add to the multitude of myths (such as the one where Ronald Regan, Ann Sheridan and Dennis Morgan were the original choices for the leads...this was planted in the news to keep the actors' names in the press) that stemmed from the film.
It's probably best to start with how modern the movie is. Putting it simply, the movie has aged tremendously well. Director Michael Curtiz and cinematographer Arthur Edeson made a visually dynamic movie that captures the eye as well as a Michael Bay film (although this is completely unlike anything Bay has done). Each shot is carefully chosen and superbly constructed. Many older films (such as "Swing Time," due to budget and/or technical limitations, look plain and unsophisticated. That's not the case here.
The reason I say this is to assure viewers who are hesitant about watching older movies because of the ones that haven't aged well that this is a movie that they'll love. I don't think it's possible to watch this movie and not fall under its spell (then again, Wes Anderson's films make big money...). The performances are strong, the characters are never less than compelling, and there's something for everyone: suspense, humor, and of course, romance. Putting it succinctly, "Casablanca" is just great storytelling. And that will always carry great weight in the success of movies.
The films takes place during the early days of WWII, days before Pearl Harbor. Casablanca is an African city that is the last stop for Europeans on their way to Lisbon, Spain, where they will be able to flee to America. It's run by Captain Renault (Raines), whose only alliance is to whom he can profit the most from. His friend is Rick Blaine (Bogart), who runs a bar in town. Despite everything that goes around him, Rick firmly refuses to get involved in any political discourses. That all changes when an old flame, Ilsa Lund (Bergman) shows up with her husband, Victor Lazlo (Henreid), in Casablanca.
One of the many reasons "Casablanca" works is because of the performances. Humphrey Bogart is as much an icon as he is an actor. With his gravelly voice and sagging face, he's impossible to mistake for anyone else. But the man is a fine actor, as can be evidenced by the challenging role of Rick that he hits out of the park. Rick is a cynic who makes everyone believe that he doesn't care about anyone or anything. But he does, as can be evidenced by his love for Ilsa (and his helping of a young couple get enough money for visas out of Casablanca). His co-star, screen goddess Ingrid Bergman is wonderful as Ilsa. She's beautiful and sexy, but is torn between two men. Bergman lights up the screen, and it's not hard to see why Rick would fall for her. For all the chemistry the two have, Bogart and Bergman had almost no relationship off set, barely speaking to each other when the cameras weren't rolling. This was also their only film together.
The other two actors, Paul Henreid and Claude Rains, are just as good. Paul Henreid plays the obligatory romantic rival, but gives the character personality and life; the role may be required, but the character is not. Henreid did not want the role, but was loaned to Warner Brothers against his will, and was worried that playing a supporting role would kill his career as a romantic lead. He was also the cause of some on-set tension; he considered Bogart to be a "mediocre" actor and Bergman said he was a "prima donna." Claude Rains is delicious as the corrupt Renault, who does nothing to hide his lack of loyalty to any cause or person; everyone knows he'll do anything for the right price. Renault is the film's most colorful character, and Rains (who was nominated, but did not win, an Oscar for his performance) plays him as such. He also has some of the film's wittiest lines.
Hardly anyone mentions the director, Michael Curtiz. It's strange, since Curtiz had a directorial career that spanned nearly 50 years. He directed 12 films with action star Errol Flynn and 8 with Humphrey Bogart). This is no mere "lucky break" for him either; he won a Best Director Oscar for this film after having been nominated 3 previous times. The film is the perfect balance of tone; it keeps the same mood throughout, but is able to add in humor and suspense for seasoning without it seeming to be grafted on.
Still, the best way to know how amazing this movie is would be to simply put it in the DVD player and enjoy this classic masterpiece.
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Sydney Greenstreet, Conrad Veidt, Dooley Wilson, S. Z. Sakall, Peter Lorre
Rated PG for Mild Violence
What can I say about "Casablanca" that has not already been said? One of the most famous, if not the most famous movies of all time ("Gone with the Wind" and "The Godfather" give it a run for its money), there is little that an amateur film critic like me can add to the multitude of myths (such as the one where Ronald Regan, Ann Sheridan and Dennis Morgan were the original choices for the leads...this was planted in the news to keep the actors' names in the press) that stemmed from the film.
It's probably best to start with how modern the movie is. Putting it simply, the movie has aged tremendously well. Director Michael Curtiz and cinematographer Arthur Edeson made a visually dynamic movie that captures the eye as well as a Michael Bay film (although this is completely unlike anything Bay has done). Each shot is carefully chosen and superbly constructed. Many older films (such as "Swing Time," due to budget and/or technical limitations, look plain and unsophisticated. That's not the case here.
The reason I say this is to assure viewers who are hesitant about watching older movies because of the ones that haven't aged well that this is a movie that they'll love. I don't think it's possible to watch this movie and not fall under its spell (then again, Wes Anderson's films make big money...). The performances are strong, the characters are never less than compelling, and there's something for everyone: suspense, humor, and of course, romance. Putting it succinctly, "Casablanca" is just great storytelling. And that will always carry great weight in the success of movies.
The films takes place during the early days of WWII, days before Pearl Harbor. Casablanca is an African city that is the last stop for Europeans on their way to Lisbon, Spain, where they will be able to flee to America. It's run by Captain Renault (Raines), whose only alliance is to whom he can profit the most from. His friend is Rick Blaine (Bogart), who runs a bar in town. Despite everything that goes around him, Rick firmly refuses to get involved in any political discourses. That all changes when an old flame, Ilsa Lund (Bergman) shows up with her husband, Victor Lazlo (Henreid), in Casablanca.
One of the many reasons "Casablanca" works is because of the performances. Humphrey Bogart is as much an icon as he is an actor. With his gravelly voice and sagging face, he's impossible to mistake for anyone else. But the man is a fine actor, as can be evidenced by the challenging role of Rick that he hits out of the park. Rick is a cynic who makes everyone believe that he doesn't care about anyone or anything. But he does, as can be evidenced by his love for Ilsa (and his helping of a young couple get enough money for visas out of Casablanca). His co-star, screen goddess Ingrid Bergman is wonderful as Ilsa. She's beautiful and sexy, but is torn between two men. Bergman lights up the screen, and it's not hard to see why Rick would fall for her. For all the chemistry the two have, Bogart and Bergman had almost no relationship off set, barely speaking to each other when the cameras weren't rolling. This was also their only film together.
The other two actors, Paul Henreid and Claude Rains, are just as good. Paul Henreid plays the obligatory romantic rival, but gives the character personality and life; the role may be required, but the character is not. Henreid did not want the role, but was loaned to Warner Brothers against his will, and was worried that playing a supporting role would kill his career as a romantic lead. He was also the cause of some on-set tension; he considered Bogart to be a "mediocre" actor and Bergman said he was a "prima donna." Claude Rains is delicious as the corrupt Renault, who does nothing to hide his lack of loyalty to any cause or person; everyone knows he'll do anything for the right price. Renault is the film's most colorful character, and Rains (who was nominated, but did not win, an Oscar for his performance) plays him as such. He also has some of the film's wittiest lines.
Hardly anyone mentions the director, Michael Curtiz. It's strange, since Curtiz had a directorial career that spanned nearly 50 years. He directed 12 films with action star Errol Flynn and 8 with Humphrey Bogart). This is no mere "lucky break" for him either; he won a Best Director Oscar for this film after having been nominated 3 previous times. The film is the perfect balance of tone; it keeps the same mood throughout, but is able to add in humor and suspense for seasoning without it seeming to be grafted on.
Still, the best way to know how amazing this movie is would be to simply put it in the DVD player and enjoy this classic masterpiece.
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