Michael Curtiz' film 'Casablanca' is a movie that is familiar to all, whether it be through parody, nostalgia or filmic interests. As one of the most-lauded films of all time, its reputation exceeds itself often and so a fresh look is required, particularly in the modern day climate of remakes and sequels.
Rick Blaine (Bogart) owns a bar in Casablanca, part of Vichy France at the height of the Second World War. His life, consisting of money and small resistance against the Nazis, changes forever when his former love Ilsa (Bergman) comes to Casablanca with her partner (Henreid), a famous resistance operative. Rick faces choices that he would rather not take as the war begins to have a heavy effect in Morocco.
Bogart and Bergman: Icons
Curtiz took two iconic performers of the time in Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman to play his leads, and as the reprehensible anti-hero Rick Blaine, Bogart creates a cinematic milestone. The white suit, the snappy retorts; in Blaine seeds were sown for characters such as those Harrison Ford has made a career from. Bergman gives a performance of understated glamour and boldness, her resistance heroine Ilsa more than a match for the brash Blaine.
Paul Henreid, as Ilsa's husband, resistance leader Victor Laszlo, adds a unique and trinity-like structure to the film, and the love triangle marries perfectly with the brooding menace building behind them throughout. Claude Rains provides comedy as the Vichy police commander Renault, and his underhanded agreements with the American give him a unique position in the city as both oppressor and defender.
Action and inaction amongst conflict
The film is held in such high regard for its balancing of multiple genres and the infamous quotes, but in watching it, it's clear to see that popular culture has warped it somewhat. There is no 'play it again, Sam'; just simply 'play it, Sam', and the legendary 'gin joints' quote is entirely dependent on the filmic setting for its power.
The balancing of genres is, however, truthful and executed perfectly. The war seamlessly flits between the war effort and resistance to romance, taking trips to the past to embolden the characters. The comedic aspect is grossly underlooked too, with Sam and Renault creating the humour that many seem to miss in their actions and observations.
Political climate crafts masterpiece
What is key to remember, and indeed, point out, is that the movie was made at the height of World War Two, and so the stakes in real life were high at this point. The stark reality of much of what Curtiz was trying to achieve is eerie to watch onscreen; the Nazi outfits and bigoted attitudes suggesting that even during the war, the archetypal 'evil Nazi' was crafted and presented to audiences.
It is precisely this, alongside the mix of genres and the performances of Bogart and Bergman, that gives "Casablanca" the power and weight it is attributed with. Indeed, this film is one that should be introduced to younger audiences as an examplar document not only of its time, but of film throughout its existence.
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