As Time Goes By, Casablanca remains

Rating: Null/10 (19 June 2006)

It is a fact that Casablanca is one of the greatest films of all time. You can see it all around you. It has inspired remakes, and sequels. It has been turned into a Warner Brothers cartoon, it has been quoted and misquoted in countless books and films, commercials and "lists." I am willing to go as far as saying that there is not a person in the United States that has not either heard, quoted, or seen a scene from this film,. Whether it be the timeless, "Here's lookin' at you kid", or "Louie I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship" scene. We have all heard itthe question to ask is why has this film stayed on our screens and in out hearts.
The answer is believe lies in two places, the first is the acting. Humphry Bogart and Ingrid Bergman are truly legends in Cinema. There faces and careers are known to all, they were part or Hollywoods Golden age and forever will remain there frozen for all time, and that without a doubt helped the popularity of the movie. But more than that is their chemistry, which is reflected whenever they are together on the screen. When Rick takes Ilsa at the end and tells her that should she choose not to go with Victor on that plane, she will regret it, that maybe it will not be today or tomorrow but soon, and it will be with her for the rest of her life. In that moment you see some amazing acting by two truly great actors. You feel the bond and love between them, and the realization that despite that they must do what they have to. A moment like that is so rare and in my opinion audiences realize that.
The second reason I think the film has endured is that it deals with a complex story, or stories rather, all wound together in this time period that truly shook the world (World War II). At the start of the film you see Rick and Ilsa, two lovers that while in Paris are broken apart. The scene then moves forward, Rick is now closed, interred within himself, heartbroken. Then his story is met with Peter Lorrie's which involve the letters of transit. Once he dies, the two become one. The movie then progresses and we meet Ilsa again, changed by the same heartbreak that affected Rick but who at the same time has become part of something great and moved on. At the same time Victor comes in, and his work with the underground resistance. As times goes by (no pun intended) another story is added, which lies directly between the coming together (again) of Rick and Ilsa. That in turn binds all of these tales together. Buried inside this is the stories of Sam, Rick's buddy, and Captain Renault the Chief of Police. Then you have the internal conflicts, Ilsa doesn't know what she wants, Victor is steadfast in his beliefs, Rick knows what he wants but is confronted with what must be done. This multitude of characters (the casting of which as stated was truly perfect) and stories allows everyone who watches it to relate. An whenever a film presents that option it is destined to succeed.
Granted all this is my personal opinion, but the simple truth is Casablanca has proved itself. I mean seriously when you have a phrase attached to a film like "Whoever you watch Casablanca with is the person you will marry" you know the movie has really succeed. I guess all I can say is give it a chance, sit down and let the magic that is this film wash over you.