21 year old male opinion

Rating: 10/10 (8 February 2004)

I saw this film for the first time when I was 17 years old and I rented it because I felt it was something I should have seen already. I liked it and was surprised by how much of the film I had already seen in various forms of homage and mimicry (probably more lines have been immortalized in Casablanca than any other film). But that was about it. I saw it again when I was 19 years old and this time it blew me away. The performances, the writing, the cinematography, the direction, and the music all seemed perfect. I watched one more time a little later to confirm that this might be one of the best films ever, and I liked it even more. I can't necessarily give specifics, but maybe it's the chemistry between Bogart and Bergman, or maybe it's the outstanding supporting cast. Whatever it is, Casablanca is one of the most seamless movie entertainments I've experienced and has a comfortable slot in my top 10 favorite films of all time.