Casablanca (1942)

It's Casablanca. What do you 

expect me to say?

What could I possibly say about Casablanca? If I were to pick the one 'movie' that enters people's mind when they think of 'movies', it would be Casablanca. It launched Humphrey Bogart into legendary status, became the benchmark for literally hundreds of movies which followed, and is often considered one of the best films of the entire 1940's by fans and critics alike. So why is this film so universally loved? Even films like Citizen Kane are rejected by some despite their legendary status amongst critics. However Casablanca is basically hated by nobody. 

Casablanca laid down the groundwork for so many genres that still exist mostly unchanged to this day. Romances, mysteries, thrillers and drama in general. It's influence truly does continue to be felt over seventy years later and I would probably call this film the first 'modern movie'.

The main reason n my eyes for this timeless influence is the screenplay itself. Innumerable better critiques of this screenplay have been written and so I will not bore you by giving my worthless attempt, however it is truly magnificent. Absolutely perfect pacing, to the point where I could imagine myself watching it several times over in one sitting before getting even remotely bored. It remains constantly exciting, grows increasingly more engrossing as it goes on and kept me truly invested in what would happen next. It feels cliche' to say, but Casablanca truly is one of the best screenplays of all time and laid down a foundation so concrete and sturdy that it still hasn't been abandoned to this day.

Casablanca is also the host for a stunning banquet of great performances. Claude Rains (otherwise known as the most underrated American actor of the 1940's) is excellent as the joyfully corrupt and eternally likable police constable. Peter Lorre is fantastic as always in a small but highly significant character role, as is Paul Henreid in a role that acts as a pathotic and war-scarred foil to Bogart's lead. The final significant part of the supporting cast is Dooley Wilson, who despite being a black actor in a time which was historically very unkind to black people, gives one of the most likable supporting performances I have ever seen. He is the fountain from which much of the film's romantic charm is drawn and he is nothing short of legendary in this film.

Ultimatly however, it is the job of Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart to carry this film, and they carry it effortlessly. The two have chemistry which is so magnetic it is hard to believe the actors did not actually have feelings for each other, and their respective charms are responsible for perhaps the most quotable dialogue in any film I have ever seen. Bergman's youthful yet powerful will paired against Bogart's worn-out charisma is a match which has seldom been matched since, and is a must see for any filmmaker intending to base their work off a relationship like this.

In the end, Casabalanca is everything I was promised. Quotable, memorable, exciting, endearing and truly immortal. This film will live on in the heart's of myself and thousands of other film fans for years to come and such perfection has rarely been achieved since.

By Jack D. Phillips
A Zoom Film Review