Review of Casablanca (1943) by Sarfaraz A — 12 Feb 2012

This is the film, I remember watching it first time, it was raining and I did feel the impact of this black-and-white piece of art upon me. Legendary Humphrey Bogart plays 'Rick Blaine' a character, we all love to be part of, in terms of keeping cool and realizing what is right and wrong, even when we feel lost or out of control under imposing situations. Director Michael Curtiz should have worked his career-large on this film; so much, that today it has earned an honorable place in different lists of critics and fans alike throughout the world.

It is a piece of gem, or gem itself. Humphrey Bogart who was a real-time Chess player, embarked upon a great idea to play game of Chess in the beginning (although it is believed that Peter Lorre a supporting-actor beat him for the first time). Ingrid Bergman plays role of Ilsa Lund, a role that is both prominent and central in the film. In my opinion Peter Lorre's appearance in Casablanca is one of great guest-appearances from the films, this entry of Peter Lorre is one of wonderful surprise entries in cinema-history, like John Hurt's entry as Kane in Ridley Scott's Alien.

Casablanca is moving and thrilling keeping up the pace and tone of elements of ongoing-war, the plight of people caught amidst the turmoil in the city. Dialogues are written, as ultimate force for characters.