One of the greatest wartime love stories

Rating: 10/10 (28 December 2016)

A ten score if there ever was one! It is difficult to say anything that hasn't already been said about this classic. Humphrey Bogart was in his early forties when CASABLANCA was made, but this kind of romance is ageless. Ingrid Bergman couldn't have been more attractive.
No man could have been more love smitten than Rick, and he finds solace in the bottle and the ballad, AS TIME GOES BY. This movie and that song are inseparably intertwined to many viewers.
Claude Rains heads a fine supporting cast. As Captain Renault, he walks a fine line between disrespect and reluctant obedience in dealing with the Nazis. His whimsy and humor are just a pleasure. Paul Henried is quite subdued in comparison.
Many of the one liners are well known. One of my favorites is, " He's like all men, only more so." Figure that one out. At the very end, "This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." leaves you with a warm, positive feeling.
Oh, I have some trivial comments about CASABLANCA. Nobody is ever seen eating in the CAFE AMERICAINE. Perhaps all the action took place after 10 pm.
There never was a more desolate airport in the final scene. Only one airplane and not a single person around. Neither do Rick and the captain seem in any particular hurry in leaving, after Strasser was shot. Surely the Nazis would soon be in hot pursuit.
Do they make them like this anymore? I don't think so. This is one that no one should miss, young or old.