Classic, beautiful, light hearted - how does a "all time classic really feel like"?

Rating: 7/10 (21 November 2019)

In regards to user "JAYMAY" and the wonderful review "HOW TO WATCH THIS MOVIE": Thank you, kiddo.
It came over me some months ago... like "damn, I have never seen it. Just have a vague idea what it is REALLY about... but so what. Is it romance or a war movie? Dunno. I'm going to watch it now. Let's dive."
And that was the best decision on how to approach that movie - without expectations. Yes, it is a super hyped classical Hollywood block buster. Yes, it is a great love story, so great, it sounds so unreal when you read about it. It is replayed over and over in TV at peak times (like Christmas?). Yes, it is over 60 years old, black and white and uses different cinematic styles than modern cinema.
What compelled me in this movie is how truly timeless it is. The usage of lenses, blurry fuzzy filters (to make it look more glorious and romantic at times, esp. Bergmanns face), the play of light and shadow, camera movement bring out the pure emotions of the actors so, so well... I wouldn't have expected that!
Timeless is, when the characters and the story feels real and 'possible' no matter the age or the black-white-colors or the different era. The dialogue is thoughtful, deep (and deserves a rewatch to truly appreciate it!) and the characters have these subtle, gentle movements and expressions that are salt and pepper to the story. The true intensity is written in their faces, like they were sitting across from us at a dinner table at candle light, re-telling their deepest, heart-felt memories.
I was IN love with Richard (Bogart) when the camera zooms in on Ilsa (Bergmann) with the warm, fuzzy light and her glowing eyes - and I fell for Richard when he expressed his sometimes truly life-affirming, sometimes cynical ideas. It is melancholic, sentimental and yet full of life.
Sure, it isn't a movie of 'our time', but it shows human nature and life, that is lived for centuries, no matter if it is in the 40s or today. It was a great journey into the past and ends with the present.
I truly appreciate this movie, even if it is not my favorite movie of all times. That's ok. It is timeless - and THAT is the true mastery here for me.