Casablanca is a 1942 film directed by Michael Curtiz, and tells the story of an American expatriate living in the Nazi-controlled city of Casablanca during World War II. When his former lover and her husband, a Czech resistance leader, show up in the city he must choose between his love for her, or helping them escape to continue fighting against the Germans.
It's not a complicated premise by any means, but it manages to remain compelling throughout its runtime. The acting is also superb, with obvious mention to Humphrey Bogart's Rick Blaine and Ingrid Bergman's Ilsa Lund who have great chemistry. However, Claude Rains steals the show for me as Captain Louis Renault. He's a brilliantly witty character and much of the humour of the film derives from his lines and delivery.
Rick Blaine as a character does make the story tick though. He tries to portray himself as apathetic to the Germans controlling the city and those resisting them, but that belies a more selfless version of himself through his actions. This then all culminates in a climax where he truly decides to make a significant decision and grows as an individual.
Casablanca is considered one of the best films of all time, and I believe the quotable dialogue has helped it reach that status in some respects. Lines such as "Here's to looking at you kid", "We'll always have Paris" and "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship" have become ingrained in the public consciousness to such a degree that many people know these quotes without having seen it.
The use of the song As Time Goes By also contributes to the iconic nature of the film, as it serves as an effective signifier for Rick and Ilsa's past relationship and the adverse effect it has on them in the present time.
Another section of music leads to my favourite scene with 'The Battle of the Anthems'. When the German officers in Rick's club start singing The Watch on the Rhine the other club members respond with La Marseillaise (the French national anthem) eventually drowning out the Germans. A large number of the extras had actually fled from the Nazis so this adds to the power of the scene immensley.
The overall blend of melodrama and pathos in the screenplay helped make it considered to be one of the best ever written. I'm glad brothers Julius and Philip G. Epstein returned to write the script after initially leaving it to work on Frank Capra's Why We Fight series. I'm also glad Warner Bros. took a chance in paying $20,000 to acquire the rights, the most anyone in Hollywood had paid for an unproduced play.
Final Verdict
Casablanca very much earns its status as a classic in my eyes and a deserved Best Picture winner at the Oscars. Well-formed characters, iconic dialogue and a smartly paced story allow for a enjoyable viewing experience.
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