Casablanca

Rating:
Summary: A great film!
Review: During the darkest years of the catastrophe that was World War II, Warner Brothers studio produced a movie that is, as far as I am concerned, the best movie ever made. Set in December 1941, when the Wehrmacht was at the gates of Moscow, the Japanese were expanding in the Pacific, and the Nazi death squads were busy murdering millions of Jews, this film explores the nightmare and uncertain world of the refugees, conspirators, and secret agents who struggled to find their way at the margins of a Europe torn by war. "Casablanca" is set in Morocco, under the politically and morally compromised regime of the Vichy French, at a time when the Nazis were winning the war and the possibilities of resistance seemed increasingly bleak.

It is the question of resistance that the film directly addresses, through as brilliant a cast of characters as one will ever find, assembled through the old studio contract system, but no less gifted for that. Humphrey Bogart, as the deeply hurt and cynical leftist, once a committed activist who has left politics aside to pursue his own private life; Paul Heinreid, as the idealistic, committed and daring organizer and champion of anti-Nazi resistance, trying to stay at least one-step ahead of the pursuing Gestapo; Peter Lorre, the shady operator who has committed a crime that may prove to save lives (suggesting the inversion of values that develops in the murky context of war); Claude Rains, the cynical playboy official, who is corrupt and yet decent in the face of a much greater evil; Sydney Greenstreet, who plays the crooked gangster/businessman as well as anybody ever did; Conrad Veidt, who brings the sinister Major Strasser to a menacing life that shadows the entire film, even after his death; and Ingrid Bergman, as Ilsa, who in this film is absolutely glowing, as beautiful a woman as ever appeared on screen.

The film was produced in 1942, nothing special for Warner Brothers, just another "crank-it-out" anti-Nazi flick. And yet the script (improvised as they went along), the cast, and the theme of the film, create a kind of film magic that has never been matched. And when Dooley Wilson as "Sam" plays "As Time Goes By," he is doing more than just playing the melody that will always be associated with this film. He is providing a kind of musical theme for issues that will always be with us: the struggle between private interest and personal desires versus public responsibility in a time of moral and political crisis; the meaning of morality in a world threatened by radical evil and the need to construct an ethical behavior that is realistic and yet effective; and the importance of love, courage, and obligation to others in a world where the impulse to crawl into one's own private space can be overpowering.

The film also illustrates a too often forgotten dimension of the Second World War; the plight of millions of refugees, stateless, homeless, facing deportation, concentration camps or death squads. How many refugees, trapped and with no place to go, were eventually rounded up for transport to the death chambers at Auschwitz II-Birkenau! When this film was made, those death chambers were in full and active operation, as Nazi Einsatzgruppen carried out their murderous work in eastern Europe. When Humphrey Bogart buries his head in his hands in despair, waiting for the woman he loves, we are reminded of the larger darkness of the world in which his frustrated private love burns. His redemption, and the redemption of the world for which he has spent much of his life fighting, begins when he moves beyond his private agonies to return to the fight for a world worth living in. And let it be clear, the end of the movie "Casablanca" is not the end of this story. As the plane ascends into the fog-bound sky for Lisbon, the fight is just beginning, and we, sitting in the theater, are reminded that the struggle for a better world is something that is still going on. Rick's fight is our fight: the fight for social justice, for a decent and humane society, for a world in which FDR's Four Freedoms are more than just a slogan, for a better future in which reckless militarism, racism, oppression are defeated, and people rally to fight for human freedom. "And this time, our side shall win."

Rating:
Summary: You must remember this...
Review: As time goes by, moviegoers all over the world will always remember Casablanca as one of the few "perfect" movies ever to be created. Every detail in this rousing, yet melancholy story of love against the backdrop of WWII is mastered, from the stunning performances of the cast to the witty, oft-quoted dialogue. The mystery, danger, and allure of Casablanca is expressed beautifully through the sets of Rick's Cafe Amer, the Blue Parrot, and the famous misty airstrip in which Rick and Ilsa say their final farewells. And, blending all these magical elements together, is the perfect bittersweet song that takes Rick and Ilsa back to their star-crossed love affair in Paris: As Time Goes By.

Everyone knows the story. The legendary Humphrey Bogart plays Rick Blaine, a cynical American club owner who has an especially dark past: banned from the United States, blacklisted by the Nazis, and settling in Casablanca after having his heart broken by the only woman he ever loved. This woman, the beautiful, conflicted Ilsa Lazlo, played by the gorgeous Ingrid Bergman, has come to Casablanca with the most wanted man on the Nazi's Gas 'Em Quick list, Victor Lazlo (Paul Henreid, playing Lazlo so well, you have to pity the poor guy). They're trying to escape to America, but the French Precinct, Captain Louis Reynaud (the incredible Claude Raines), won't give them Visas. Ironically, the only man who can help Lazlo now happens to be the same man Ilsa loved and betrayed in Paris. Bitterly facing the prospect of having Ilsa all to himself or losing her forever, Rick makes a gentleman's decision that leads to the most beautifully written farewell in motion picture history.

The enduring popularity of Casablanca can be attributed to the love triangle between Rick, Ilsa, and Lazlo. It can be attributed to the sheer magic of an entire city of people desperately trying to get away from the Nazis in a time of chaos. Personally, I believe this movie survives from generation to generation because Rick himself represents the American people on a whole. His 'don't tread on me' attitude and reluctance to leap into the turmoil of war appeals to us and illustrates the attitude of Uncle Sam. Although we've seen Casablanca time and time again, there are always those who tear up at Rick's noble sacrifice. Then there are those who scowl and mutter that Ilsa should have ditched her stiff-collared husband for her one true love, the tough-guy-with-a-good-heart, Rick. Perhaps this endless debate is another reason for Casablanca's enduring popularity.

Casablanca was a once-in-a-lifetime movie. Because of the cast, the script, and As Time Goes By, to remake this movie would be as insulting as to attempt to remake The Godfather, Lawrence of Arabia, or even Dr. Strangelove. Not that there is a need to update Rick and Ilsa'a story. Casablanca is a worldwide appeal to every generation, and will be one of the few films to persevere, as time goes by.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful classic...
Review: Casablanca is a classic, one that I tend to pull out and watch at least once a year. The only thing that keeps me from five stars is the ending. Although the story is complete, I always wish for a better end. The love triangle is devastating from the beginning, but add the danger and desperation of the situation, and it adds to this classic movie. Everyone should see this at least once.

Rating:
Summary: Rick is the man!
Review: The character played by Bogart in this film is absolutely larger than life. Most men can love a woman. But how many men can actually let go of a woman he love, in the interest of greater good for humanity?

Rating:
Summary: It's still got it
Review: The story is great, the script is quick and snappy and the chemistry is one of a kind. What is amazing about this movie is that after 60 years, even with most of it's famous lines having entered our modern vernacular, it hasn't lost its edge. Upon viewing again last night with a friend who has not seen it, I realized that this is essential viewing for those who want an introduction to "Classic" Hollywood.

The film makes the transition nicely in DVD format. While it does not have a lot of the bells and whistles that usually accompany a popular film, it really doesent need to. The movie is strong enough to stand alone without a commentary by a surving cast member or a "film scholar." It has a short and sweet documentary hosted by Lauren Bacall and a bevvy of trailers for other films starring Bogey. That feature I actually found helpful since I myself am always looking to increase my knowledge of classic film. This is an excellent purchase and one you will not see once and leave on your shelf to collect dust. You find yourself coming back to this one again and again.

Rating:
Summary: Play It Again, Sam!...
Review: "You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss..." So goes the music from the piano player, when Bogart tells Sam the piano player to "play it again." Bogie drinks his drink and the memories being to come back to him in the bar he owns in Casablanca. All the hard luck he's had, and the love which escaped him (Hepburn), and then "she" returned to North Africa, this time with another man. Rick (Bogart) doesn't stick his neck out for nobody, he says, and the rest is the classic film of all time.

This is a timeless tale of heroism, cowardice, romance, and intrigue, and many great performances, including Bogart, Bergman, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, and a great ensemble cast. A great addition to a library collection, and highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: One of the most enjoyable movies ever made
Review: Despite its fame, despite the fact that we all seem to know too much about this film, CASABLANCA still shocks by its enormous ability to entertain. I have now seen this about seven or eight times, but, if anything, I enjoy it more upon repeated viewings rather than less.

The movie remains enjoyable for a host of reasons. The cast is as good an any in the history of film, not just the leads, but a host of minor characters. The actor who plays the croupier, for instance, was Marcel Dalio, who only three years earlier, in France before being forced to leave, starred in Jean Renoir's great classic THE RULES OF THE GAME. In fact, knowing that many of the cast members had been forced to flee Europe because of the spread of Fascism, including those portraying Nazis, gives the movie especial power. There are a good fifteen or sixteen memorable characters, giving this film an unusual depth. Nonetheless, the film is carried not by the supporting characters, but by the tremendous performances by the leads, most notably Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Claude Rains (interestingly, the latter two would later appear in one of Hitchcock's greatest films, NOTORIOUS). Even the rather wooden Paul Henreid does a decent if less than stellar job. Contrary to popular rumor, no one was ever considered for the lead role other than Humphrey Bogart. Conrad Veidt, whom we all love to hate as the detestable Major Stasser, was, in fact, a bitter opponent of Hitler and the Nazis, and was well known for his opposition to everything that was happening in Germany in the thirties.

I am a complete sucker for movies where all the dialog consists of impossibly witty repartee, and this one ranks near the top. Even if the central plot weren't excellent, this movie would be a classic because of the awesome talk, especially any conversation featuring Bogart and Claude Rains. For instance:

Renault (Rains): What in heaven's name brought you to Casablanca? Rick (Bogart): My health. I came to Casablanca for the waters. Renault: The waters? What waters? We're in the desert. Rick: I was misinformed.

There are dozens of superb moments in the film similar to this. Although the script was famously a complete mess, with the writers literally working on it as they were filming, nearly every line is a masterpiece. Great plot overall, great dialog, and great scenes. It may have been a mess at the time, but the result is sheer genius.

But at the heart of the film is the story of a great love, in which two people set aside their great love for one another, the love of a lifetime, for causes bigger than themselves. The film is the ultimate paean to self-sacrifice. Best of all, it is a phenomenal film, and rightfully celebrated as one of the greatest ever made.

Rating:
Summary: As good as it gets
Review: Casablanca is one of my favorite movies. This movie has everything: War, love, murder, gambling, drinking, sniveling French people, brave Norwegians, Nazis, and crooked cops.

Seriously, though...

This is one of the few movies that I could not possibly imagine in color. The black and white adds a quality that no color could reproduce; it adds a starkness to the city of Casablanca, while making the characters stand out and become larger than life. The direction is exellent, and the acting is marvelous, displaying virtually none of the annoyingly stilted style of the time. The scene that really stands out is the one where the Germans are singing "Die Fatherland," and Laszlo begins "La Marseilles." There are so many things working in this scene, but it captures the will of a people to resist tyranny, and also establishes the power of Laszlo to rally people to a cause, which really are the themes of the movie that work behind the love story.

Bogart is excellent, Bergman is radiant, and every other character is much more than a simple role player. They all have their motivations, and are not necessarily good or bad, but are all working toward something, be it passage out of Casablanca, the elimination of political rivals, or simply the acquisition of money. They all work in concert to create a wonderful, fascinating story.

Simply one of the best movies ever.

Rating:
Summary: You Must Remember This!
Review: What more can be said about Casablanca, the witty, stylish, sweeping romance? Bogie is Rick, a classy, hard-boiled cynic who meets up with his old flame, Ilsa in the exotic port city of Morocco. Problem #1: Ilsa's married to Victor Lazlo(Paul Henreid). Problem #2: Rick has letters of transit that he's not willing to part with. Problem #3: The Nazis. Problem #4: Louie Renault, the prefect of police, though in the end, he turns out to be Rick's best friend. The supporting cast is marvelous: Claude Rains, Peter Lorre, Sidney Greenstreet, Conrad Veidt - all consumate professionals.
This disc includes the documentary "You Must Remember This" hosted by Lauren Bacall. Warner's master for Casablanca is generally good, though since its release Warner has done more pristine work on DVD. The quality of the documentary is disappointing. Images are grainy, with digital compression artifacts and shimmering details that generally distract. Still, this is one of those golden oldies that every collector should have. Play it again, and again, and again, and .....

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: While the Maltese Falcon has always been my favorite Bogie film, Casablanca is all its said to be and more. Helping his lover and her husband escape a Nazi infested Casablanca, keeps Bogie juggling relationships with the French Prefect (Reins) as well as his love interest (Bergman). Great is perhaps an understatement.