Casablanca is the best movie that has ever been made. There, I said it. Films simply do not get more iconic, more influential, more perfect, nor more beloved than this.
I love movies and books that are written with wit, so it is natural that I should love this one. Practically every line is quotable, yet none of the lines (aside from perhaps "Looks like destiny has taken a hand.") are delivered like they intend to be quoted. The dialogue is sharp, yet natural. The people act like people should, yet each one begins to symbolize large segments of humanity. This is a masterfully written film.
By the way, Casablanca contains my favorite put-down of all time: Ugarte: "You despise me, don't you?" Rick: "If I gave you any thought I probably would." (ouch!)
Never has a film had a better cast: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Paul Henreid, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre -we're talking an extravagance of acting riches here!
The cinematography is perfection in black and white. All black and white films should look to Casablanca for instruction on how to frame a shot, how to showcase an actor, and how to contrast shadow with light.
The story is perfection in simplicity. Sure, there are the bad guys and good guys. But in the midst and confusing everything are the politics of love and the question of remaining morally neutral. Will Rick do what is right, or will he try to get revenge on the girl who jilted him -or will he try to steal her from her husband? Will Louis carry out the evil desires of the Nazis by trying to keep somewhat neutral? Or will he finally stand up for what is right? By the end everything turns out the only way it can and truly be called a happy ending. "We'll always have Paris," and "the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
How does a movie get better than this (aside from better model plan special effects)? Equal parts charming, sweet, earnest, and important, Casablanca is the best movie you can see that starts with "C."
Entertainment: 10/10
Artistic Value: 10/10
Technical Merit: 10/10
Overall: 10/10
Runners up for the letter "C:"
- Chariots of Fire
- Citizen Kane
- The Civil War -by Ken Burns (yes, a documentary)
- Chinatown
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