AFI Top 100: #3
Humphrey Bogart once again exemplifying how to wear a suit and pull someone into a deep kiss makes me really, really wish that he could have been the first James Bond. Along with Bogart's irrefutably charming energy as a leading man, Michael Curtiz's iconic Casablanca contains endlessly good things, including the wonderful direction, cinematography, and general aesthetic. It is very easy to understand why this has become such a beloved piece of film history over the past 80 years and there is really nothing I can say that hasn't been said already, and much better as well. It may just be my personal preference but I was not fully invested in this film from the beginning but just like its legacy since its release, it began to grow on me more and more until I was completely wrapped up in its story until the final shot.
In the midst of French Morocco lies a private nightclub and gambling hall run by Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart). During WWI, he houses people that are waiting to escape to the freedom of America, and when his former lover Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) arrives, he struggles to decide between his love for her or helping her and her husband Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid) escape the country. This script, written by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, and Howard Koch is absolutely stellar and I loved the focus on the relationships between the characters. Rick and Ilsa's past relationship fuels the tension throughout this movie and I loved the dichotomy between them when Rick is trying to figure out what he wants to do. The setting and time also add to this stress, as Rick's business of helping refugees continues to add drama to the already interesting plot. Not revolving this film directly around the war or even directly around the romances between characters was the smartest choice that these screenwriters could have chosen. It never felt like a war film but it never felt quite like a romantic story either. This fluid combination made the story really stand on its own as one of the most original blends of writing I have seen from this time. Because of this, it's difficult to really nail one genre onto the head of Casablanca but that fluidity is what makes this story so timeless and compelling. There's just enough type of genre for everyone and while it never attempts to appeal to everyone, it just so happens to be entertaining throughout all of its aspects. Not only has this film influenced so many movies of the time but it has carried on a legacy with it as well. I still see references and homages to this film in current movies and TV shows and I love how these writers were able to craft such a timeless story. From its iconic ending lines to its unforgettable romances, there really is a lot to love about this film.
The performances from Bogart and Bergman throughout this entire film really elevate an otherwise run-of-the-mill story into something spectacular. The emotions and energies that these two bring to their characters of Blaine and Lund were absolutely fantastic and they really made the audience care for these fictional people's love for each other. The romance that their characters shared might be seen today as a bit too cliché and overexaggerated by the actors but for 1942, their chemistry was phenomenal. I loved how they took dialogue that could have been incredibly bland and instead livened it up with their pure talent and they definitely prove to be the strongest parts of the entire film. This film's technicals are also astounding and tell a fantastic story on their own. The editing by Owen Marks is deliberately articulate and I enjoyed every last little choice that he made. Some of the cut-ins and establishing shots felt a little out of place but they all worked together for the narrative very well. The cinematography from Arthur Edeson was the most incredible part, however, and tells its story in such a way that I felt like the camera never stopped moving. The constant motion in his shots was fascinating and gave so much life to the little nightclub that pretty much this entire film is set within. The zooms and pan-ins on characters' faces were awesome and really emphasized their performances as well. Casablanca might be one of the most recognizable classic films ever made and for good reason: I might not be the keenest on its impact but if there's one thing I can recognize, it's how films like this come to be so treasured based on their exciting and timeless stories.
Casablanca might not be the epitome of a noir film but its pieces come together in such a romantic way that it is difficult not to fall in love with. I understand the legacy of this movie and how critical it is to learn about the genre but while I am still not entirely a fan of this type of film, it is obvious how exemplary it has become. I adore and appreciate all of the storytelling choices made throughout this film and while I don't think it hit me as hard as it did audiences in the early 1940s, Rick and Ilsa are truly a couple of characters that I could find myself learning about for hours.
My Rating: ★★★★
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