I kid you not, until a few days ago I had not seen Casablanca. In fact, I�d say I�d done everything in my power to avoid it. I don�t know why, it�s a classic and I�m more open to watching old black and white�s than most people (I�d have a hard time justifying running this site otherwise). Also, it�s not like I haven�t watched and thoroughly enjoyed other films of that time period, from The General and King Kong, to Mr Smith Goes to Washington and 12 Angry Men. Frankly, I have no excuse on the matter, and the sheer brilliance of the film makes me feel very chastised and humble right now.
If we ignore for a minute the technical aspects of the film, Casablanca is simply a beautiful story, and one which broke countless barriers during its original 1942 production. Not only did it feature a black man in a (fairly) prominent supporting role (as Rick�s best friend no less), but it focused upon the love affair between an older man and a younger, married, woman. In comparison the setting, Vichy-French controlled Morocco, and the characters, a motley crew of refugees and expatriates all wanting to be anywhere but Casablanca, seem as important as the cardboard scenery. Of course, they�re not, and you find that out as the story moves along. There are few films which so effectively paint every single character as a human being, and the small moments they have are a joy to watch.
As you�ll no doubt have seen the five star rating already then you see that I consider this to be an excellent movie. This is true. It�s always harder for an established �classic� to win the approval of the next generation than it is for a newcomer, born out of that group�s culture. The weight of expectation is often too much, and you fail to see the groundbreaking work it perfected as said work is now commonplace (I�m thinking heavily of Citizen Kane here). Casablanca though succeeded on almost all counts, holding my attention intensely as it glided to its most fitting conclusion. There are so many scenes, lines and ideas that are part of our popular culture, and it was enlightening to see them in their proper home. Though I knew how it ended (thank you Red Dwarf!) long before the viewing it nevertheless left me pleasantly surprised.
The story, as if you need any reminding, is one of bitter, unrequited love and the toll it takes till redemption. Settling in Rick�s Caf�, Casablanca�s most happening nightspot, it tells the story of Rick, an American ex-pat, and the people of varying nationalities who live, work (or hope to flee) the Moroccan port. Though Rick is relatively new he is still one of the most known and respected men of the town, even winning the admiration of the local police commander (the superb Claude Rains). While everyone presumes to know who Rick is, his new life is blown apart by the reappearance of his former flame, Ilsa, and her husband Victor, who is fleeing the Nazi�s for America. Though he is the only person who can help them his feelings for Ilsa, which cover the gamut between love and loathing, stay his hand until he can no longer ignore his responsibilities.
Bogart is, of course, superb, breaking his stereotype of criminal heavies as the worldy-wise Rick who everyone looks up to. Though his demeanor is one of studied disinterest, Capt. Renault (Rains) informs him that he believes he is a sentimentalist at heart, and this belief is borne out by the rest of the film. The enigmatically beautiful Ingrid Bergman is also superb as the conflicted Ilsa, torn between two men, between what she feels in her heart and what she knows is right in her head. There can be little doubt that these two have set the mold for many an unrequited movie love affair since.
What makes Casablanca so great in my eyes though is the fully-fleshed realizations of the supporting characters. The two most important, Henreid as Laszlo and Rains as Capt. Renault, do great service and it is Rains who steals the show in my eyes. His police commandant is a superb creation, corrupt and sexually voracious (it is implied during the film that he extracts sexual favours from young women for exit visas), but oddly kind and knowledgeable. Is it he who signposts the audience to Rick�s hidden reserves of decency, and it is he who is instrumental in shaping the gripping finale. Though I knew the romantic ending I was unprepared, and therefore pleased, to see it unravel in a brilliantly twisting double-cross. It doesn�t get much better than that. |
