Review of Casablanca (1943) by J Brigham H — 21 Jul 2012
With the overwhelming glut of modern romance films about self serving love with disregard for others or even common sense or decency, CASABLANCA is a refreshing and far better romance than most. Granted, it is frozen in it's own era of WWII politics and old-fashioned silver screen glamor, but in this case, that's not a bad thing.
It's a beautiful relic, like a classic painting or sculpture that, while reflecting the past, is still enjoyed by the present, partly for its partial function as a window into another time. The dialogue, especially Rick's as delivered by the great Bogart, is layered with insightful and biting wit.
The characters are well-layered, from Rick's hard-boiled cynical shell that hides a sentimental idealist, to Rains' Renault, a man subtly conflicted between procedure, sentiment and worldly morality.
Everything about CASABLANCA screams classic with its exotic locations, well-defined characterizations and timeless themes of love, sacrifice and human unity.
This review of Casablanca (1943) was written by J Brigham H on 21 Jul 2012.
Casablanca has generally received very positive reviews.
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