What's the AFI project, you ask? For more information, or if you just enjoy my bemused ramblings, read here: http://www.spout.com/blogs/pippin06/archive/2008/3/1/25756.aspx
Casablanca is on the following AFI lists:
The Original Top 100 (#2)
100 Most Heart-Pounding Movies (#37)
100 Greatest Love Stories (#1)
100 Years...100 Heroes and Villains (Rick Blaine is the #4 hero)
100 Greatest Film Songs (#2 - "As Time Goes By")
100 Movie Quotes: (6 total)
(#5 - Rick Blaine: "Here's looking at you, kid;" #20 - Rick Blaine: "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship;" #28 - Ilsa Lund: "Play it, Sam. Play 'As Time Goes By;'" #32 - Captain Renault: "Round up the usual suspects;" #45 - Rick Blaine: "We'll always have Paris;" #67 - Rick Blaine: "Of all the gin joins in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.")
100 Most Inspiring Movies (#32)
The Revised Top 100 (#3)
Who doesn't know Casablanca? It's WWII. The Nazis are marching all over Europe, and refugees are seeking escape through port towns like Casablanca, in northern Africa, looking for transit papers and/or some kind of lucky break for passage to America. Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a wisecracking, no-nonsense saloon owner of the Cafe Americain, lays low as a wanted man himself, insisting he sticks his neck out for no one but himself and enjoying a dubious relationship with the corrupt but wily Captain Renault (Claude Rains), prefect of police. Then along comes the beautiful Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) with her husband, the notorious freedom fighter Victor Lazlo (Paul Henreid), who is also wanted by the Nazis, into this gin joint of his, and suddenly Rick's scruples are called into question. He knew Ilsa in Paris before the occupation, and she was the love of his life before she deserted him without explanation while he fled on a train before the occupation took hold. Now, she and her husband need help, and Rick seems to be the only one who can provide that help, despite the aching of his broken heart.
If I had my way, Casablanca would probably be #1 on most of those AFI lists. I honestly think that this is one of the rare, truly perfect films ever produced in this country. It has stood the test of time, even though it is but a snapshot of a bygone era. It has everything: drama, comedy, suspense, intrigue, noirish mystery, complicated romance, laughs, tears, dashing men, beautiful women, and the everlasting appreciation of film fans everywhere.
The performances are perfect. Bogie was no slouch, but this is unquestionably his iconic role. I start shedding a few tears when he's getting soused over his memories of Paris and don't really stop until he utters that famous line, "We'll always have Paris." Ingrid Bergman was a rare beauty and offers such a gentle, conflicted performance that can only be believed. Also, the supporting cast is lively and interesting, especially the famous Sam, the piano player fiercely protective of his boss, and the sarcastic Captain Renault. And remember, it's not "Play it again, Sam." It's just "Play it Sam, play 'As Time Goes By.'"
Not only are the performances pitch perfect, but each of the little ingredients that make a movie seem to be of just the right magnitude. The cinematography, particularly in the misty airport at the end of the movie, is really just a wonder to behold, and makes the film as iconically atmospheric as romantic. That beautiful song that made second place in AFI's list is such a wonderfully romantic yet painful song that perfectly underscores this ill-timed affair of the heart. The Casablanca locale made for some lively art direction, with a touch of the north African exotic dotting the background (with the usual naive limitations of the day).
One could try to argue that this film is a touch on the melodramatic or schamltzy side, but I think the director, Michael Curtiz, knew just when to play those cards without overdealing his hand. Besides, love and romance can be melodramatic, even in real life, and the film version never goes over the top. If you need evidence, just consider the ending. The filmmakers could have, and almost did, include a happier, more predictable ending, but the beautiful and poignant, more famous version won out and rounded out a perfectly executed story, from beginning to end.
Casablanca is, beyond doubt, a masterpiece (a 10 for me), and it's one of my favorite movies in the entire world. I bought it to own and watch for this project and beyond. I know some people of my generation and younger become naturally skeptical and disbelieving when oldies but goodies like this are extolled by so many people, particularly "older" people, and some may think the film's overrated. So, here's my advice for the up and coming film aficionado: don't watch this movie until you are older. Seriously. This film is a grownup's movie, and only a grownup can really appreciate its nuances and themes. Casablanca is like a fine wine, better with age, and I will probably watch it 100 more times before I leave this earth.
The question, though, is whether it is a better or worse movie than Citizen Kane (the #1 on both lists) and, more recently, The Godfather (#2 on the revised). I don't know, but I kind of like this one. Maybe it's because I'm a romantic at heart. I'll just have to rewatch those too and see.