Great Film

Rating: Null/10 (15 October 2011)

Casablanca is generally regarded as one of the top films of all time, and with good reason. This film works perfectly on every level. The film takes place in Casablance a free French run city in the early stages of WWII. Casablanca is a stop on the best escape route from Europe to the United States,and is therefore home to a diverse group of people from all of Europe. While the events, and people in the film are historically significant, at its core the film is a love story. It is a story about Rick Blaine, played by Humphrey Bogart, an American bar owner in Casablanca. He is a no nonsense man's man who sticks his neck out for no one. Rick finds himself in the middle of a political mess when he is secretly entrusted with valuable documents that are sought by the authorities, and desired by many. The story turns when Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) shows up at Rick's bar. Ilsa had loved Rick and broke his heart turning him into the hard man we see. Rick, Ilsa, and the other characters are entertaining as the plot twists and turns to its unpredictable finish. Bogart's performance is the best I've ever seen on film. As a viewer you feel his emotions deeply, and relate to him wholeheartedly. His character is a complicated one, which makes his performance that much better. The story, characters,acting, lighting, and camera work all combine to make this one of the best films you will ever see.