Casablanca (1942) - The birth of a classic
One of the biggest, and undoubtedly one of the most cited movies in movie history, Casablanca contains all the essentials of a Hollywood blockbuster: adventure, romance, intrigue, suspense and of course bad bad Nazis (if in doubt) that the latter is an essential element, so make a reference to the success of Indiana Jones movies). With a director (Michael Curtiz) and a sensational cast, Casablanca presents itself as the best movie ever made. And although I hate clichés, it's true that they no longer make them like this.
Casablanca is set in a place called Rick’s, a popular drinking fountain in Vichey-controlled Morocco on the outskirts of Nazi-dominated Europe. A major travel center, Casablanca has many colorful characters with a wide range of calendars. Gun dealers, spies, and revolutionaries walk side by side through streets full of pickpockets. But at Rick’s, everyone seems to have fun. Owner Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) seems content with his life serving customers and making money, at least until the day she comes in, Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman), the love of Rick's life.
Less than two years earlier, when the Nazis moved to Paris, Rick and Ilsa fell in love. But fleeing the Nazi advance, Ilsa sent Rick a note at the train station, informing him that she could not go with him. He gave no explanation. Now she was showing up at her establishment with her husband, the fugitive and Nazi resistance leader Victor Laszlo.
As the hours pass, and the Nazis desperately seek Laszlo in an attempt to prevent his escape, Rick learns the truth about Ilsa and her reason for leaving. At the moment, Laszlo's fate is in your hands. From his days in Paris, Rick has made a habit of being practical, both in his business life and in his personal life… But will you use Rick's influence and connections to help himself or Victor Laszlo? What will prevail will be your idealism over your hardened pragmatism? The Third Reich is approaching, and Rick must make a decision regarding Ilsa and Laszlo before time runs out.
Casablanca, critically acclaimed for more than six decades since its debut, is one of the few films considered to be a “cinematic classic” that lives up to the mega hyperbole surrounding it. The set design, costumes and direction are absolutely impeccable. The dialogue is excellent. Bogart and Bergman are perfect as ruined lovers, and Claude Rains is unforgettable as Captain Renault. If you have an aversion to pre-1980 movies, or some other weird reason to miss it, then I strongly recommend you consult Casablanca. You will not regret.