the love story sold tickets. one can see through it

Rating: Null/10 (10 October 2003)

Casablanca is extremely realistic in that it is the only movie I have ever seen that portrays the true hierarchy of values. All important existential problems are more or less depicted. Casablanca is a genuine art performance.
The plot spans history, love, human condition, existentialism, problems of meaning. Romance in the plot is the common denominator in the sense that it appeals to everyone's emotional memories. The purpose of this stratagem is that of perpetrating a deep channel into everyone's heart so that larger issues can be approached from a human, more delicate perspective.
In the end, romance is discarded. Rationality wins over love. Rick sees through Ilsa's cunning scheme. I found Rick's final explanation the most emotionally loaded part. He and Laszlo behave like two firmly grounded men and no offense is taken. This is hugely symbolic-laden because Ilsa is reduced to her romantic affair. Nothing more.
Casablanca is solid as a rock. There are no useless shots. Procrust's bed is a concept very well handled by directors. Sadly, in only one direction. Casablanca is the opposite around. Too many things had to be said in such a short time to let sequences extend more than needed. Action flows, hints are everywhere, the people behind the movie did not want to play with your patience. You can actually go along the movie.
Would you believe that the classic love story AND the propaganda behind Casablanca do not impede with it? Even more strikingly, they add most of the flavor to one of the few clean movies ever made.