Review of Casablanca (1943) by Russell G — 10 Nov 2013

This is completely deserving of its title as a timeless classic and one of the greatest movies of all time. The thing that makes it so special is the great storytelling. The plot is fairly simple, but the viewer is introduced to the main characters in such a way that there is a fascinating mystery to them.

These strong but vague personalities make you want figure out who they really are and why they act as they do. It takes time but as the movie progresses the characters slowly and dramatically unfold and make things clearer.

Their intertwined past is quite emotional, and leads to a beautifully ironic moral conflict for each of the main characters. It is ultimately a beautiful bittersweet story that is about hard decisions, unselfish love, and personal sacrifice.

The movie has moments of humor, genuine romantic tenderness, tragic losses, bitter remorse, suspense, excitement, and drama and it is all tied together so very well. The historic WWII setting is interesting, but the political climate is only secondary to personal aspects of the story.

This story is as effective as it is because it deals with a complex relationship where there is not necessarily a clear or right solution. Each of the main 3 characters turns out to be highly likable and even admirable.

It is unique in that each of the three main characters must make personal sacrifices by choosing something else over their own love. It is well shot, well casted, but it is the great story and characters, along with the great storytelling that make it so great.