Casablanca Movie Review

Gurpreet Singh

Mr. Pierson

ENG4U0

July 11, 2015

Casablanca – A Movie Review

        Let’s face it, black and white films aren’t the best to watch for teenagers, its unappealing graphics alongside its lack of effects indulge the classic, old movie fanatic. However, Casablanca is not the case. It contains a mix of the winning genre combination for me; action, love and thrill. The lack of graphics is overshadowed by the thrilling plot alongside the great performance of the actors. My favorite scene occurs when the main character has a flashback during his depressed state, and this flashback consists of memories of the girl. Though it’s a classic black and white film, the film still stands to be more indulging than other modern works.

        Casablanca, directed by Michael Curtis, which alongside the help of Warner Bros. Studio was released in 1942. By casting the classic Humphrey Bogart with Angrid Bird Men and Claude Rains, this classic trio helped the movie get a 5/5 rating, a feat rarely accomplished by directors. This movie is set during World War II, a time where chaotic events were inevitable. At its core, the movie is essentially about a young mans’ choice to either pursue love or patriotism. Though the man whom he could save is his love’s husband, a prisoner of the Nazi’s, Casablanca explores the tragedy the main character must endure in deciding which path to pursue.

        The movie was set in Casablanca, the city that was the hub of the Europeans attempting to flee Germany. However, due to the strict security measures taken in America it was really hard to obtain an exit visa. As a result, most of the people resided there, and the most common place in town was Rick’s Café, a café operated by Rick Blaine. Ironically, Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) is an American that can’t return back home due to these strict security measures, and this denial made him cynical. A regular customer at Rick’s, Ugarte, has possession of letters that the dead German couriers had, something that is wanted by the Germans. Before he was to tell Rick that he was in charge of selling the letters, Ugarte was arrested for killing the couriers. Captain Renault (Claude Rains) was in charge of the case of Ugarte, and was also in control of keeping Victor Laszlo within the borders. However, Victor came to Ricks Café in an attempt to get the letters from Ugarte before knowing that he was arrested. Victor’s spouse, Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), accompanied him, and when she meets Rick, Rick is shocked as they used to love one another. The plot then focuses on Rick, as he is attempting to get back with Ilsa all while being faithful and helpful to Victor. The plot is very effective; it deploys cliff-hangers and suspense at the right moments to make it a pleasure watching the movie.