A classic that ALMOST stands the test of time

Rating: 7/10 (2 May 2019)

Casablanca is one of the gems of the 1940s that is so far ahead of its time in terms of cinematography that one can scarcely believe it is not a mock black-and-white classic made up to 50 years later. Joining the realms of Citizen Kane and It's a Wonderful Life, this is one of the early pieces that evolved into what we know cinema to be today.
A cliched and simplistic plot aside, Casablanca features some of the most well-known dialogue in the world of film up to 70 years after its release. It is a marvel of screenwriting and cinematography that has stood the test of time.
What makes it all the more fascinating to watch is the depiction of World War II themes in a film that predates the Nazi surrender, granting us the perspective of Western artists in the midst of wartime who were unsure whether victory or defeat awaited them, and when. The idea of war gains a more sinister and hopeless tone in this context.
Casablanca, however, does fall victim to some elements of the story that struggle to stand up to today's standards in an industry that produces wonderful films by the dozen. Cliché is the primary word that comes to mind, and while Casablanca outdates many films that follow the same tropes, it certainly did not invent the romance genre, and it does little to stray from the often cringeworthy tricks of the romance-writing trade.
It also struggles in terms of pacing, often feeling like the story is meandering towards a conclusion with little causality or flow.
Nonetheless, the cinematography is an absolute marvel, and the performances of 1940s megastars Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman are typically magnificent. Casablanca is worth a watch to enjoy the roots of the film industry we see today and some of the pioneering storytelling that defines the way artists continue to produce wonderful cinema.