Casablanca Review | Month of Classics Blog Party

Casablanca was the first film that evoked a sense of awe concerning classic movies for me. I'd seen some older movies, but none of them had really snagged my interest until I watched this masterpiece. Let me tell you about it, will you? Like my Fred Astaire post, I'm going to mention a few points and elaborate as much as possible. :)

The Impact of Using Black and White

Before watching Casablanca, black and white movies had always seemed, forgive me but, colorless. You couldn't see the sets or the costumes and that struck me as dull and uninteresting. Since this initial judgment, I'm come to love the black and white format because your focus really does stay on the actors/actresses and the mood created by this unique lighting. It's the acting that captures your attention, not the outfit they're wearing, it's the story that has to interest you, not the chairs or scenery. And as for the lighting itself, the use of shadows and direct glares is a great addition to the already strained position of all characters involved. There are moments where the pattern from the sets blinds, plants, doors, generally harmless objects, cut sharp and hard against the actors, breaking up the shot and seeming to be a flaw in production when really it's adding to the overall jagged feel of the movie itself. Casablanca has many fantastic moments of using the blank slate of the black and white format. I actually wish that more movies were still filmed this way so some "distractions" were removed.

The Plot

Aside from the romance, that is a strong side story--even though I think the romance is often considered the main story, the plot is really fabulous. How the political strife is handled and built up is masterful. There's one particular scene that I love, and it's when the anthem competition starts and how it finishes. You feel the tension in the room, and you know how dangerous such a defiant act is, but you can't help being proud of those who participate. It's those kinds of moments, spread through the film that really make it a need to see movie. It is by no means simply a romance film. There are several harsh realities dealt with that keep you engaged with more than just Ilsa and Rick.

The Characters

What's almost charming about this movie is the side plots weaving together. Sure, there's the focus on Rick and Ilsa's backstory but they didn't stop there. You'll find there are resistance members that work in the club, Rick's competitor, the Captain who struggles with his allegiance, and just about anybody else who has a line in the movie. I find the layering in this movie to be incredibly satisfying. :) Everyone has their motives and their stories and what's more, you're left guessing where it will lead them.

The Ending

I'd seen the clip of Casablanca's iconic ending while growing up but I'd never paid any attention so when the ending was on the sad side, I was unprepared and didn't directly know how I felt. We'd built up to the possibility of something of a happily ever after and yet it didn't follow through. It didn't happen. I actually thought about it for a few days. Is that ridiculous to you, or no? But finally I came to realize, it was the proper ending. I'd gone through the scenarios in my head and it really had ended how it was meant to and in the process was the means of completing the story it had started. So now, I adore the bittersweet ending that is considered such a classic scene. And once I decided that I liked it, I allowed myself to really enjoy the dramatic fog and the heartbreaking goodbye. 

Well, as I finally got to work on this post, I kept thinking of all the things I could mention. I really didn't cover all there is to admire about this film, but I'm sorry to say this is all the time I have. I hope you'll tell me your thoughts in the comment and give this movie a try.

Yours truly,
Cordy