Review of Casablanca (1943) by Parker S — 26 Jun 2012

Let me explain why I give it 4 stars rather than a "FANTASTIC FIVE STAR MASTERPIECE!" as many people consider it is. I am sure this movie is extremely influential, but being a kid that grew up in the 90's, I have already seen the aftermath.

I've mentioned this before, but this creates an interesting dilemma. Should I grade it higher because it influenced what movies are today? Or should I grade it today on its own merits? I choose the latter.

Its troubling but true that I dont see this as a definitive masterpiece. I dont see it as one of the greatest movies of all time. I think its great movie, I do, but the praise that it gets is surprising to me because although it is great, nothing is that special to me.

I found the writing to be smart and fun, the romance was fulfilling and the story was for the most part, pretty good (The words seemed to be mumbled throughout the movie). This is where I come to my biggest question; Why does everyone love Humphrey Bogart? If im being completely honest, he had no emotion.

His performance was dull and devoid of any real life. Its the same thing with Ingrid Bergman, she is too winy and too much of a "hopeless romantic". Maybe im just a cynic, but "career defining performances", not really in my opinion.

The ending is amazing though, one of the best ever really, heartwarming and endearing. Overall though, I wanted to like it more than I did, and I really thought I would have considering that I love old cinema as much as the new, but it didn't floor me like I expected.

Great movie; not a masterpiece.