Casablanca+Review,+Nana+Park

What some love? Try Casablanca.

The stunning film, Casablanca, is the classic film of all generation. It is just unbelievable how the 20th century film can be so much influential and captivating than some of 21st century films. The setting and the relationship of the characters had enchanted the mind of audiences with a spell of love. This classic film encapsulates the universal theme, love. Where the thick layer of love was engraved in the film’s atmosphere that purged the immorality of war. This film is not just another romantic love story but also something more in depth. The film opens its curtain with the French national anthem and a globe. World War II has swallowed Europe into a terrifying place for people to live in. The cruel war troubled many lives of people resulting their desire to escape to America. The complex escape route gathered people in Casablanca, where they sought for exist visa.

The setting of the film shifts to a busy and crowed Rick Blaine’s (Humphrey Bogart) Café Americain -- introducing our main character with a mysterious aura. Soon, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henried) and his wife Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) enters the café. They have come to Casablanca to look for an important letter. However scandalously, Ilsa and Rick were once passionate lovers. The pivotal flashback explains their past relationship. Rick and Ilsa were in Paris, ardently in love. He proposed to her and promised to meet her in front of the train station. Despite the promise, she vanished into the thin air leaving only a letter. And the film retracts into the present.

This breathtaking film took away the heart and soul of the viewer. The heart and soul of the audience could not have been taken away if the setting of the film was not so provocative. The setting of the film creates suspense and unstoppable momentum that thrill the audience’s attention and emotional fulfillment. The setting of World War II produced an evocative ambience that locked the viewer’s unconscious mind in the film. Rick proposed to Ilsa in hurry after hearing news of German approaching Paris. The overpowering situation generated a extraordinary scene that developed a doubt and a certainty of their relationship. She promised with a hesitation to meet him in front of the train station, she was in a dilemma. As a result she did not show up, which ended their love affair. If this tragic relationship was set in a random and insignificant day, what importance can it have? Thus the plot of the story absorbed the mind of audience through two very contradicting subjects, love and war.

“Perfection” does not dwell within humans lives. There are flaws in human lives that create their individuality. As this matter all apply to every subject matter, Casablanca cannot escape from criticisms of its few little flaws. Despite the dearly portrayed love of her, Ilsa’s actions are not so dearly forgiven to the critic. Ilsa thought her husband was dead when she was in love with Rick. However she left Rick without much explanation when she heard about her husband’s condition. She should have at least told Rick about her husband before she left. This little complication have put two characters in a difficulty. Even though this complication framed the plot, the fact that she cheated on her husband was disturbing. It is not really exciting to see someone cheating on someone they profoundly loved.

The success of a film depends on how actors and actresses act. The poorly casted actors and actress often fail the success of a film even though the plot line maybe great. The actors and actresses in the Casablanca have put together a phenomenal acts that mark the history of the romantic film. Humphrey Bogart played powerful role in characterizing the main character, Rick Blaine, as a complicated and mysterious man. Rick Blaine had to make decision between love and righteousness. His decision was an unexpected twist that surprised many viewers. Also Ingrid Bergman starred as Ilsa Lund, her depiction of character really touched the senses of the audience heart. She truly convinced the audience as if she was telling her own love story. Rick and Ilsa narrated a love story so convincingly that the audience felt like it was in reality. Most couples will relate themselves to the relationship in the film because cheating on their boyfriend and girlfriend is a universal crime done by different ranges of age. Every character cannot be favored by all the audiences, but this film surprisingly did not have any unfavorable character. But, the least favorable character was Captain Louis Renault who was originally a bad guy. However his actions persuasively boost his likability.

Casablanca is indescribable. No word can ever fully explain the feelings of watching it. It is sentimental, heart-stirring, and mind-blowing. This film not only successfully carried the setting of the plot, World War II, but it also blew minds of many audiences, including myself, of how love can be portrayed. Love is a strong emotion that can compete with a war. Don’t be doubtful of this film. No regrets will be laid upon you after watching the film. Want some love? Try Casablanca.