Review of Casablanca (1943) by Grayson S — 23 Feb 2013

The first time I saw Casablanca I thought it was terribly boring and I was more than happy that it was less than 2 hours long so I didn't have to sit through that kind of misery for that long. Then it came on TCM one night and I gave it a second chance, and really watched it. Holy crap. I don't think I saw the same movie because the second time I watched it I was engulfed in it, and couldn't look away, especially the second half of it. I was very sad and touched at the end when Bogart/Bergman make their tear-jerker good-byes.

The story is about an expatriate, Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), living in Casablanca in the northern part of Africa. He owns a very famous nightclub of Casablanca, Rick's Cafe American. Most of the film takes place in this nightclub, and many things happen here: arrests, killings, and re-acquaintancing of two old flames.

The directing is very good, especially considering that the whole film takes place mainly in one central location. However, it is the acting that is superb. The fact that Bergman was not nominated, and that Bogart did not win, is simply flabbergasting. They both are stunning and absorbing. Along with the two leads are the amazing actors of the secondary cast, including excellent performances by Peter Lorre, Claude Rains.

I highly recommend this film to anybody. It is very enjoying, and give it a second chance if you didn't like it the first time. It worked for me.