Casablanca (1942) *****
Director Michael Curtiz made a lot of classic films but Casablanca (1942) is undoubtedly the most classic. It moves at a blistering pace throughout but never feels rushed. It's romantic without being sappy—it shows love in the true sense of the word, where a man is willing to make sacrifices for something greater than himself (or maybe just because he's a “rank sentimentalist,” as Claude Rains puts it). It has wonderfully sly touches of humor (mostly via Rains). It has Max Steiner’s rousing and sweeping score. It has Arthur Edeson’s beautiful and stylish cinematography (love those quick pans). It has the impossibly gorgeous Ingrid Bergman, whose eyes sparkle and charm. It has perfect performances. Even beyond the most recognizable quotes by Humphrey Bogart, the dialogue throughout is brilliant. There are many reasons why Casablanca is so beloved—it’s the definition of a classic, an exquisite blend of entertainment and politics, above reproach.
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