Casablanca (1942) Movie Review

“A cynical expatriate American cafe owner struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.” – IMDb

Casablanca

Starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid

Written by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Howard Koch

Directed by Michael Curtiz

Review

As a huge movie fan, can you believe that I have never watched the classic, Casablanca before?!  In all the film classes I took, we never watched it.  It is quite shameful that it took me until now to watch it.  At least I can finally cross it off of my list!

Of course, I have seen the famous clip of the end scene several times.  However, I didn’t know what to expect for the entire movie leading up to it.  I also knew the many famous quotes that came from this film, but I didn’t know their place in the story.

I first knew of Humphrey Bogart because of his role in Sabrina starring Audrey Hepburn.  Even though he has 85 acting credits between 1928 and 1956, I have not watched any of his other films.  He was a talented actor, so I think I may have to watch several of his other films.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should watch?

Ingrid Bergman is often mentioned alongside Katharine Hepburn, for the fact that they are two of the most Oscar-awarded actresses.     Throughout her life, she had 52 roles under her belt.  One of which, was acting alongside Gregory Peck in Alfred Hitchcock’s Spellbound (1945).  Peck and Hitchcock are two of my favorite men and Spellbound became a top movie for me instantly.  Bergman’s last film was in 1982 when she played Golda Meir in the TV movie, A Woman Called Golda.  Bergman passed away on her 67th birthday in 1982, from cancer.

Another face in Casablanca, one I highly appreciate, is that of Peter Lorre.  Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) is one of my favorite movies and Lorre does an amazing job playing Dr. Einstein in the film.  Every time I see him in a film, it is a pleasant surprise.  Lorre has 113 acting credits to his name, so it happens quite often.

Lorre passed away in 1964.  He, unfortunately, had chronic gallbladder issues and got addicted to the morphine he was prescribed for the pain.  It caused a downward spiral both for his health and for his career.  He passed away the same year he did his last film, The Patsy, from a stroke.  Vincent Price did the eulogy at his funeral.

Overall

I enjoyed the film and I can see why it is such a classic.  I am quite picky when it comes to romantic films but I find that Bogart’s wit evens out the love aspect.  For example, the scenes with the love triangle that Bogart, Bergman, and Henreid.

The drama concerning the war is also a great break from the love portion of the film.  It adds suspense and emotion while also leading up to how the film ends.  It all comes together perfectly and if it were to end any other way, I would be upset.  The sacrifices Bogart made for Bergman, show how much he deeply did love her.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the film, but I don’t know how often I would watch it.  It’s not one of the films I would want to watch every month or anything, but maybe I’ll now say that October 1st is now the annual “Watch Casablanca Day”.

Here are my favorite quotes from the film/ the most famous quotes:

“Here’s looking at you kid.”

“Yvonne: Where were you last night?
Rick: That’s so long ago, I don’t remember.
Yvonne: Will I see you tonight?
Rick: I never make plans that far ahead.” (My all-time favorite, it’s too great.)

“*I’m* the only “cause” I’m interested in.”

“Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.”

“I love you so much. And I hate this war so much.”

And of course,

“Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

Are you a fan of Casablanca or are you one of the people who think it is overrated?

Let me know in the comments below!

If you want to read a review about a recent movie, I saw The Martian last night and you can read my more in-depth review here!