My favorite movie of all time

Rating: 10/10 (26 June 1999)

Casablanca combines an unforgettable romantic story with the harsh reality of war & danger. Set in the city of the film's title, we have Rick Blaine, an American running from something (&/or someone), who owns a nightclub in Casablanca, where the Nazi's have taken over. When Ilsa walks into the nightclub one night, we soon learn that they were lovers in Paris a few years earlier. When the Germans march into France, Rick & Ilsa are to leave. Ilsa never shows up at the train station, & Rick is forced to leave without her. Rick's character in the present is a tortured soul, who is seemingly going thru the motions, looking for a reason to go on, or for a cause worth fighting for. By the end of the movie, we find that, by doing the noble thing, it not only gives him the impetus to reconstruct his life once again, but also conveys a powerful message to those of us in the audeince, that message being that while you can physically lose the love of your life, spiritually, she will always be with you. The movie has just the right amount of intrigue, romance, and humor to make it the most unforgettable story ever put on the Silver Screen. All of the characters, major and minor, are perfect in their roles. Humphrey Bogart's portrayal of Rick has left an indelible mark on his entire career & life. Ingrid Bergman - Oh, those wet & hypnotic eyes at the climactic end. Claude Raines as Louie adds just the right touch of cynicism & change of pace humor. Paul Henreid's Victor Laslo inflicts the needed patriotism into the film. As a matter of fact, both Rick's & Victor's unyielding love for Ilsa is so genuine, that the ending, where Victor goes off with Ilsa, seems so right, as though there shouldn't be any losers in this "game". The evilness of Major Strasser adds the right tone. Casablanca - an all time classic.