Review of Casablanca (1943) by Daniel R — 14 Jun 2014

Typically when I see the most esteemed critics debating over the greatest film of all time, there are three films that it comes down to: Citizen Kane, The Godfather, and Casablanca. While I personally wouldn't place that title on any of those three, if I had to choose one of them it would definitely be Casablanca.

All three are incredibly well made, and their themes hold up well today, however Casablanca is distinct in one of the most important ways, that being that it's the most entertaining of the three. I think a lot of critics tend to forget entertainment value when they speak of the great films, and instead look at themes and craftsmanship.

Those qualities are absolutely important in film, and yes Citizen Kane and The Godfather have those qualities in spades. However, film isn't simply an art form to appreciate, it is one that is inherently meant to entertain and enthrall us.

I don't want anyone to think that I don't find Citizen Kane or The Godfather entertaining, because they certainly are, but truth be told there are moments in both of those films where the buildup to something greater can feel somewhat tedious, particularly with Citizen Kane.

I'm sure there are many who would disagree with me on that front, and perhaps they are correct, but to my tastes these do not have that constant appeal that I value so highly in film. Casablanca however, managed to hook me from the beginning and didn't let go until the credits rolled.

There is a certainly mindset that I think movie lovers take into the viewing of a classic film, particularly an old one. It's a similar feeling one may have if they were going to see the Mona Lisa.

There is a certain awe and appreciation for history we take in with us, and honestly I think it creates something of a greater distance between us and the work. Imagine an art critic throwing out all preconceptions about the Mona Lisa and regarding the work for the first time in the same way he or she would regard any other painting or sculpture for the first time.

Might they come away with an impression of the work that differed from the preconceived notion that we've all been taught since grade school? Would he/she regard it as great or simply as the painting of a woman? I think when we watch classic films we have similar preconceptions.

We've already been told that these films are great, and that there is no more room for any opinion, that their greatness is simply fact. I think, in a way, it's to the detriment of one's potential enjoyment of the film.

What if we come away from the film thinking it's not as great as we were told? Does our opinion, then, no longer matter, and not even to ourselves? Herein lies what I find greatest about Casablanca, which is that watching it made me forget all of the talk about greatness and classic status.

As I watched Casablanca I was taken in by it the way any great film takes you in for the first time. It was beautiful, relatable, and entertaining and it took down that wall of preconception. In other words, it is truly timeless.