Wednesday, March 20, 2013

MYST-Casablanca

Casablanca tells the tail of an American man played by Humphrey Bogart, who own a bar in Casablanca. This place is the hot spot in Morocco for all of the people looking to escape the horrors in Europe, fly to Lisbon and then to America. The Nazis currently control the people who get in and out of Morocco, so most of the refugees are stuck. Then a famous French escapee of the concentration camps and his wife turn up (Ingrid Bergman). Bogart's character has an unknown past with Bergman, as she asks to get her and her husband out of the country. Its a love story that is also very political in nature, with each character representing the politics of their birth nation. 
This is probably Bogart's most known performance and in my opinion one of his best. Although he is great in the African Queen and iconic in The Maltese Falcon, in Casablanca Bogart plays a very complex character who represents America's political stance during world war two. Also, he has so many memorable lines in this movie that are still used and quoted today. I think those two features make this performance one of his best, and probably one of the best of all time. 
Now one of my  favorite scenes from this movie is a little cheesy but still moving. At one point the Nazis are singing a German song in the bar in front of these French refugees. Then the French escapee asks the band to play the French song "Les Marseillaise". The band looks at Bogie and he gives them a nod. Then the band plays it and the whole crowd stands up and sings until the Germans sit down. It is a beautiful metaphor for how the Americans acted in the war, and how the war would turn out if the Americans helped. 

I thought it was great. 5/5 stars.

1 comment:

  1. Someone else reviewed Casablanca as well. That's great that you liked it. I think it's such a treat to watch--one of my favorite films. The writing is sharp, and the politics are interesting. I'm glad you pointed that out.

    Would have liked to have go say a bit more, but interesting points about the politics of the film, and Bogart's American perspective.

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