Summer of Movies #3: Casablanca

You knew this was going to be on the list, don't lie. The movie that is your dad's favorite movie, and for good reason. But before we move on to the review, I just wanted to give a little history. This movie is the definition of a happy accident. They had no idea how the movie was going end, they were writing the script on set days before they were going to shoot them. Luckily for them, it miraculously work. This is my review of...

PLOT

During 1941 Europe, no where is safe from the Nazi's, except Lespin. The best way to get there? Through unoccupied Casablanca. The lucky get exit visa's and leave to Lespin, the others wait, and wait, and wait. What can they do while waiting? Go to Rick's Cafe American, owned by the coolest and most likable man alive, Rick. He's neutral on everything, the war, Nazis, even women. He's so neutral that his cafe has Nazis, French resistance fighters, and everything in between. Things are going great, until one of Rick's old flames, Ilsa Lund, shows up with a prominent French resistance leader, Victor Laszlo. Now Rick's neutrality is compromised and he must choose sides.

PROS

Everyone does an amazing job in this film. All the actors and characters get a memorable line or become memorable characters.

While I thought Humphrey Bogart's Rick was going to annoy me, he was actually the ultimate male icon and I loved him the whole way through

Ingrid Bergman is not only beautiful, but an amazing actress as shown in this film. She never starts to over act and never seems like a damsel in distress, she can take care of herself.

Sometimes in these older movies, the romantic relationships never make sense to me, not here. I don't know if Bogart and Bergman had something going on, but it really seems like they had something, even though we only see the end of their relationship.

The writing is some of the best I've heard. It's hard to believe this was written on set, because all the dialogue is very snappy and very funny. This also has the most quotable lines in history. You'll be hearing lines and saying "Oh, so that's where (insert awesome quote here) came from", I know I was.

CONS

I'm sorry, did you honestly expected me to find one thing wrong with this film? I didn't think so.

CONCLUSION

This is the movie that film fans don't dread, but go up against, trying to be "that guy" who doesn't like "Casablanca", and every time they fall in love with it. I'm no exception. This is one of the great movies that surprisingly still hold up to this day. It is simply impossible to not at least like this movie. It's simple, good ol' fashion fun that cannot be matched by any of the big summer blockbusters, yes even the "Avengers", as much as it hurts to say it. This is required viewing if you have a pulse, and even if you don't, you still need to see this wonderful accident of a film that is another new favorite of mine. All I have left to say is, "Play it Sam"

RATING

(Literally) CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT!!!