Here's Looking At This.

Rating: 10/10 (10 February 2016)

Casablanca (1942): Dir: Michael Curtiz / Cast: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains, Paul Henreid, Peter Lorre: Excellent romance that regards an act of sacrifice. It stars Humphrey Bogart as a no nonsense nightclub owner during the second world war who is haunted by past romance. Ingrid Bergman reenters his life and all the memories return. She is now married to a fighter-resistant man who wishes to shelter himself in Bogart's nightclub. He evaporates into alcohol reflecting upon the last time he saw her. A masterpiece that avoids the predictable and goes for the emotional struggle. Directed by Michael Curtiz who previously made The Adventures of Robin Hood. Bogart flawlessly portraying a man struggling with brokenness and a crossroad of right and wrong. Bergman is terrific as a woman emotionally entangled within the past and present. In supporting roles are Claude Rains as a police chief who delivers the cheerful and much quoted final line. Paul Henreid plays Bergman's underground husband who must rely on his wife's former lover's integrity to survive. Peter Lorre also appears briefly in one of his sinister roles that he plays so well. This time his luck runs out when Bogart exposes him. The question arises as to whether this film is as great as its reputation claims. In answer, it is an accurate portrayal of love in its most glorious form. Score: 10 / 10