The Essentials: Casablanca

Title: Casablanca
Run Time: 102 minutes
Release Date: November 26th 1942 (premiere), January 23rd 1943 (general release)
Director: Michael Curtiz
Writer(s): Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Howard Koch, and Casey Robinson (uncredited)
Stars: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, AND Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, AND Dooley Wilson as 'Sam'

"Seeing the film over and over again, year after year, I find it never grows over-familiar. It plays like a favorite musical album; the more I know it, the more I like it. The black-and-white cinematography has not aged as color would. The dialogue is so spare and cynical it has not grown old-fashioned. Much of the emotional effect of Casablanca is achieved by indirection; as we leave the theater, we are absolutely convinced that the only thing keeping the world from going crazy is that the problems of three little people do after all amount to more than a hill of beans."
~ Roger Ebert

Casablanca is the story of a city and a man. It is certainly many more things, but in the most simple terms, it is about a city and a man. If I said that Lawrence of Arabia is the greatest and most epic film ever created, I will say that Casablanca is the most perfect film ever created. Nearly everything about the film has become iconic, and that is because everything inside the lens has become so memorable. The lines, the song, and the setting become strongly etched in your mind after seeing the film multiple times. The film is set in Casablanca, Morocco, which is the very northwestern corner of Africa, and is directly south of Spain. The story of a bitter, cynical club owner in "unoccupied France" strikes a chord in everyone who watches it. The story finds the Nazis and the French forces living together in Casablanca, with the major conflict of the film being concerned with leaving that place, and escaping to America. The city is filled with citizens who want to leave the city, but cannot get a visa to leave on one of the few planes that leave the city each day. The conflict sets up the story, which is about a nightclub owner named Rick (Humphrey Bogart), who must reconcile with a stormy past when a notorious enemy of the Third Reich and a mysterious woman show up in his bar. That is all that I should say without giving away important details for the film, because I believe that films are meant to be experienced as they unfold in front of you, not in words on a page. It is a film with intrigue, deception, love, cynicism, and excitement at every turn. After a test on modern audiences, I have evidence that even present teenagers can get captured by a black-and-white film that is 70 years old and not driven by technology.

If this article is the first that you have ever heard of this film, then I would be shocked. However, it often appears to be a film that everyone in my generation has heard of, yet never seen. I can say universally that I recommend Casablanca for all generations and all people. Oftentimes, many films follow the same fate of losing esteem with the passage of time, and newer generations not being able to enjoy it in the same way that generations before did. Many film buffs would disagree with this statement, but the sad truth is that many films lose luster with age. Casablanca is the rarest of the rare in film, a film that not only has not lost luster with age, but has also improved. In this way, it is like a fine wine.

During the filming and release of Casablanca, it was truly believed to be nothing exceptional. Though it had quite famous actors and first class writers, it was labeled as just another Hollywood film in many regards. Hundreds were produced every year, what made this one special? This is a film that did not make an enormous splash at the box office, and at the time seemed not much more than run-of-the-mill. It was adapted from an unpublished stage play entitled Everybody Comes to Rick's by Joan Alison and Murray Burnett, which only slightly resembles the stage play, however, with characters, dialogue, and plot all significantly altered from the original play. The film, though thought to be ordinary, went on to win Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Director for 1943. Since then, the film has continued to grow in esteem and is now considered one of the finest films ever created.

If asked why Casablanca is one of the most exceptional films ever created, I do not think that I could do it justice with simple words. The film is not simply carried by its acting, nor by directing, nor by set design, nor by its writing, but the film exceeds in all of these respects. Casablanca does not only entertain the audience, but it demands the audience's involvement, and makes them interested in the story like very few films can. It makes the audience not only ask what will happen next, but also why, involving them with the characters and giving them a reason to keep watching. Full of iconic lines and inspired chemistry, there are numerous stories about what went on behind the camera that are nearly as interesting as the film itself. Well, that may be hyperbole, but they are interesting nonetheless.

Honestly, I have come to the point that when I talk about film, some of my friends will roll their eyes and just let me go and others will be interested in what I have to say. I will talk about any film with anyone, but recommending film, for me, is something that I do with far more care. There are few films that I will recommend to all people, and Casablanca is one of the elite few. The film is a wonderful celebration of why we love film, and the type of entertainment that we only hope for at the movies. Young and old, Casablanca is certain to prove enjoyable and is a film that only demands to be called a favorite. I will argue that though I have seen it over five times, it has only improved with each new viewing, giving me new reasons to appreciate it. A great film to watch for a date, to watch with buddies, and to be appreciated by the snootiest of film buffs, Casablanca is an essential film for any lover of film to see. Here's looking at you, reader.