Casablanca (1942)

20110513:
When watching this movie, I enjoyed discovering all the famous quotes, such as "Here's looking at you kid," and scenes which came from this movie. I understand how this movie has left a mark on viewers, but I'm far too dissociated from the era of the World War to fully share the sentiments captured in the film. To be honest, the movie didn't always hold my attention.

Perhaps I drifted off during the beginning, when the movie was building the story up, but hadn't yet started the romance portion. Then there was a point where the story contained too much romance for me. I suppose all the romantic comedies of the last decade make it harder to sit through a serious drama and romance. With that being said, I did enjoy watching A Very Long Engagement (2004). Remark: A Very Long Engagement is set in World War I, while Casablanca is set in World War II.

This was the first movie I've seen starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid.

The dialogue between Rick and Ilsa in the last scene of the movie is perfect.

Overall, this wasn't as great a movie as I was expecting, but it was certainly a good movie. Since I enjoy romance movies with a splash of comedy, I'd much prefer watching a movie like Annie Hall (1977) over Casablanca. Anyways, if you're looking for a classic romance, such as Gone with the Wind (1939) and West Side Story (1961), then you should try watching Casablanca.

[20110515][20141216 Edit]

Instant Comments: (Quotes come from IMDb.com)
Peter Lorre... I saw him in Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
Love the silhouette at 18 min.
Ilsa: Play it once, Sam. For old times' sake.
Sam: [lying] I don't know what you mean, Miss Ilsa.
Ilsa: Play it, Sam. Play "As Time Goes By."
Sam: [lying] Oh, I can't remember it, Miss Ilsa. I'm a little rusty on it.
Ilsa: I'll hum it for you. Da-dy-da-dy-da-dum, da-dy-da-dee-da-dum...
[Sam begins playing]
Ilsa: Sing it, Sam.
Sam: [singing] You must remember this / A kiss is still a kiss / A sigh is just a sigh / The fundamental things apply / As time goes by. / And when two lovers woo, / They still say, "I love you" / On that you can rely / No matter what the future brings-...
Rick: [rushing up] Sam, I thought I told you never to play-...
[Sees Ilsa. Sam closes the piano and rolls it away]
@40 min: Here's looking at you kid.
Again at 43 min
What a heartbreaking letter.
I like the repetition of the wine glass being spilt.
@1 hr 25 min "Here's Looking at You Kid"
@1 hr 32 min: Flyswatter repeated.
Rick: Last night we said a great many things. You said I was to do the thinking for both of us. Well, I've done a lot of it since then, and it all adds up to one thing: you're getting on that plane with Victor where you belong.
Ilsa: But, Richard, no, I... I...
Rick: Now, you've got to listen to me! You have any idea what you'd have to look forward to if you stayed here? Nine chances out of ten, we'd both wind up in a concentration camp. Isn't that true, Louie?
Captain Renault: I'm afraid Major Strasser would insist.
Ilsa: You're saying this only to make me go.
Rick: I'm saying it because it's true. Inside of us, we both know you belong with Victor. You're part of his work, the thing that keeps him going. If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with him, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.
Ilsa: But what about us?
Rick: We'll always have Paris. We didn't have, we, we lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night.
Ilsa: When I said I would never leave you.
Rick: And you never will. But I've got a job to do, too. Where I'm going, you can't follow. What I've got to do, you can't be any part of. Ilsa, I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you'll understand that.
[Ilsa lowers her head and begins to cry]
Rick: Now, now...
[Rick gently places his hand under her chin and raises it so their eyes meet]
Rick: Here's looking at you kid.
The above "Here's looking at you kid" came @1 hr 37 min.
Rick: Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Special Feature Watched:
"Introduction to Casablanca"
"Here's looking at you kid."
"Play it Sam."

Watched 20110513 (DVD 2984 from Eisenhower Library)
Casablanca (1942) Michael Curtiz. 102 min.

Relevant Links:
Casablanca (IMDb.com)
Casablanca (film) (Wikipedia.org)

No comments :