"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine."

Rating: 9/10 (30 July 2003)

Ever since I first saw this film years back, I wondered where all the praise came from. Then I realized -- movies with figures of huge importance are widely regarded as masterpiece material.
Citizen Kane has a man of large wealth and power. Casablanca has a widely respected night club owner. The Godfather has mafia kingpin Vito Corleone.
Why is it so interesting for us to see men in power? I think it's because subconsciously we connect with the feelings of power - and in a way ride the American dream with these dreamlike images. These movies are true cinema - as it was always intended to be. The acting, the score, the dialog, the staging, etc, etc ... it's all great.
As Rick fades into his first flashback with Ilsa and Sam hammers away at the piano we realize that we've now experienced something.

The direction is slow and methodical, as I like for it to be and I honestly believe this is cinematic art -- much different from painting art on a Hollywood palette. This is the kind of movie that will change the way you dream and has one of the widest known film quotes ever: "Here's looking at you, kid."
The only thing that drags down the score is the over-hyper customers that often annoyed me. This doesn't detract much; but it's still there and I felt it improper when the rest of the flow is so formal.
A-: Good film experience with screen legend Humphrey Bogart giving his best performance. Those who are easily annoyed may need to bear with this one, though.