Review of Casablanca (1943) by Philip S — 14 Feb 2012

What is it that makes a movie classic? Everyone has their own definiton of what makes a movie a classic. In the case of 1942's Casablanca, every definition of a classic applies to this timeless film. Women will love the romance between the once lovers Rick (Humphrey Bogart) and Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman). Men will love the murder and intrigue set agaisnt the WWII era backdrop. Sure the movie does drag here and there, but the balance of wartime drama and romance is near perfect. That plays a major role in making Casablanca the timeless classic that it is.

The movie's primary plot involves the murder of two Germans. Their murders leads a group of Nazi military officers to come to Rick's in search of the killer. WHile they're there, French officer Captain Louis Renault offers to roudn up every suspicious person in the city. That includes Czech underground leader Victor Laszlo, who just happens to be there with Ilsa. This is where the two storylines intersect. Thankfully, the two plotlines don't overpower each other in the process. If anything, thanks to the writing team behind the movie, and the directing of Michael Curtiz, the whole thing comes together for a story that never loses its flare, no matter how many times a person watches it. And who doesn't know the classic lines that have been spawned from this flick? Both the lines and the story itself have been honored and spoofed again and again. That's how influential it is.

Casablanca is timeless. That's evident by the homage paid by countless movies and television shows since its debut. But it's also evident in the number of times that its been released and re-released. It's been released at least seven times in various forms, if not more since 1998. And allegedly, it's being planned for another re-issue next month in a mega gift set. So that in itself also shows just how timeless the movie is. Studios and companies are making sure that it stays out there in for audiences. Those who already own the original Ultimate Collector's Set would be well advised to hold on to that one, instead of shelling out the money for this most recent re-issue. Regardless of which re-issue audiences own, the very fact that its been sent to stores so many times is proof positive of how impressive and important it is in the annals of movie history. Whether for the romance or for the drama, it's among the greatest movies both for men and women both on Valentines Day and any day.