Casablanca. Can it get any better? I've seen this movie only a few times, but it feels so familiar to me. It's the quintessential dramatic romance movie, with absolutely perfect timing and great conflict, flawless acting, and just a dash of action.Here's the story: in World War II Africa, Rick Blaine, exiled American and former freedom fighter, runs the most popular nightspot in town. The cynical lone wolf Blaine comes into the possession of two valuable letters of transit. When Nazi Major Strasser arrives in Casablanca, the sychophantic police captain Renault does what he can to please him, including detaining Czech underground leader Victor Laszlo. Much to Rick's surprise, Laszlo arrives with Ilsa, Rick's one time love. Rick is very bitter toward Ilsa, who ran out on him in Paris, but when he learns she had good reason to, they plan to run off together again using the letters of transit. At least that's the plan.
Ingrid Bergman (who plays Ilsa) is just stone-cold and sorrowful. Bogie's heart-break is truly heart-breaking. The complexity of their story is beautiful, and the decisions that they make leave the viewers with a thick reflection of the decisions we make in our own lives. I just love it.
P.S. My guilty pleasure movie today was Someone Like You, with Ashley Judd, Hugh Jackman, and Greg Kinnear. Yay.
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