one of those pictures that never gets old no matter how many times you watch it

Rating: 10/10 (24 November 2009)

Roger Ebert once said that his definition of a classic is a film which one cannot bear the thought of never being able to see again. The film he was referring to at that moment in time was "Casablanca", the movie that has become so loved and cherished over the past sixty-some years that its affectionately labeled "everybody's second-favorite movie." And isn't it ironic that when the movie was made in 1942, nobody on the set even so much as dreamt that they were making anything special. Certainly they didn't believe their film would go on to become one of the most beloved in cinema history.
"Casablanca" is one of those movies that holds up so well because it has appeal to a broad variety of audience members. The movie's basic plot is a love triangle set in French Morocco in World War II. But it's so much more than that. It's a story about patriotism, about the defiance of Nazism, about the struggle of humankind's search for glory and freedom, it's a satirical and witty drama, its packed with characters so fleshed-out and strong that you couldn't forget them if you wanted to forget them.
I think you get the picture. And this is not a review coming from someone who just wants to jump on the bandwagon and praise what people like to call one of the greatest movies of all time. Because I don't have to pretend. "Casablanca" really *is* that good. From start to finish, the whole picture of full of instantly memorable moments, lines of dialogue such as "Round up the usual suspects!" and "Here's looking at you, kid." that just lingers in your conscious for the rest of your days.
But here's the ultimate reason why "Casablanca" has succeeded so well. This is one of those pictures that you can watch over and over again and never become tired of. Even after you know the entire story and have the entire movie practically memorized as I have, it's impossible to become sick of. Even after so many decades of existence, the movie has aged tremendously well and it's just as wonderful and enduring as it was when it was first released.
Usually in my reviews I like to describe the power of certain moments of certain films, but I will abstain in this case because I don't want to give away the movie for those who have never had the privilege to see "Casablanca." But I will say this. Roger Ebert's definition of a classic is the quintessential way to describe "Casablanca" for it's also for me a film I couldn't bear the idea of never seeing again.
"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the worldshe walks into mine." (Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine)