Cinemaddiction
No "Casablanca" thread before now? For shame, people! No appreciation for the greats, I suppose.
Anyway, I took this one in this evening and I must say that I enjoyed it. I never find myself being too critical of the classics because when compared to today's fare, they are, for the most part, so flawless in their execution and delivery that there's little room for error. Especially starring screen legends like Humphrey Bogart, whom I am developing an appreciation for.
For those not familiar with the movie, "Casablanca" is a desert like place, home to many an American refugee. Among them is Rick Blaine, a loose cannon who runs a popular cafe/night spot in town. He just so happens to be in posession of two highly sought after letters of transit. Two tickets from perilous exile to sweet freedom. Rick's old flame, Isla, shows up in Casablanca with her love, Czech underground leader, Lazslo. As hard an egg to crack as Richard may be, will he crumble under Isla's spell, knowing he's holding the cards, or will he dash on her as she did to him one rainy night in Paris.
I haven't seen many movies that have portrayed the real meaning of intrigue and suspense as "Casablanca" did. Bogart's character was stone faced, never budging, except around Isla. He know he could help Isla, and the man whom he admired, but knowing Rick and his demeanor, the guesswork was neverending, and so effective. In the meantime, there was a harrowing love story interwoven, which was not so much sappy as it was "what could have been", testing the limits of a man whos loved and lost.
The ending was superb, totally unpredictable, and so out of the ordinary for the cliche romantic film. But, for those who have seen it, we all know that Bogie did the right thing.
Anyway, I took this one in this evening and I must say that I enjoyed it. I never find myself being too critical of the classics because when compared to today's fare, they are, for the most part, so flawless in their execution and delivery that there's little room for error. Especially starring screen legends like Humphrey Bogart, whom I am developing an appreciation for.
For those not familiar with the movie, "Casablanca" is a desert like place, home to many an American refugee. Among them is Rick Blaine, a loose cannon who runs a popular cafe/night spot in town. He just so happens to be in posession of two highly sought after letters of transit. Two tickets from perilous exile to sweet freedom. Rick's old flame, Isla, shows up in Casablanca with her love, Czech underground leader, Lazslo. As hard an egg to crack as Richard may be, will he crumble under Isla's spell, knowing he's holding the cards, or will he dash on her as she did to him one rainy night in Paris.
I haven't seen many movies that have portrayed the real meaning of intrigue and suspense as "Casablanca" did. Bogart's character was stone faced, never budging, except around Isla. He know he could help Isla, and the man whom he admired, but knowing Rick and his demeanor, the guesswork was neverending, and so effective. In the meantime, there was a harrowing love story interwoven, which was not so much sappy as it was "what could have been", testing the limits of a man whos loved and lost.
The ending was superb, totally unpredictable, and so out of the ordinary for the cliche romantic film. But, for those who have seen it, we all know that Bogie did the right thing.