This is one of my favourite movies of the 1940s. A classic noir film starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, set in Casablanca, Morroco during the German Nazi occupation.
First of all, casting Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman was a stroke of genius, because she doesn't pocess the sultry glamour or the rebellious streak of Lauren Bacall or Rita Hayworth (at least from what I can see in this film). She has a soft, innocence behind her eyes of someone who has known pain. Her character is much more suited to grittier roles like Ilsa Lund in Casablanca. This helps us to grow attached to her character and forgive her for the unfortunate choices she makes in the film.
Humphrey Bogart was also the perfect choice for Rick Blaine. The character of Rick is solemn and deep thinking, which would have been hard for someone like William Holden to pull off, as he tends to have a rather expressive face and is very good at playing people with a mischievous tenancy. Bogart has limited emotions displayed on his face, therefore adding to the mystery, but he is very good at showing an amount of vulnerability or anger in his voice. Having both of these wonderful actors together, produces a bright chemistry on screen and brings alive Rick and Ilsa's relationship.
The atmosphere the director Michael Curtiz created was very authentic and simple, which helps when it comes to historic films. The lower number of settings makes the storyline and the characterisation the focus point of the film. All the hustle and bustle of the public as the Nazi searched for the murderer was very organic, it wasn't too organised. By having a large crowd running everywhere, and choosing individuals to focus on as they are captured, this aids the viewer in understanding the panic of the situation. The Nazi Germans themselves were full of authority - tall, short-tempered and purposeful with every move they made.
One of the most impressive points of the story was the twist at the end. It is by far one of the best story twists I have ever seen, but I shall leave you to watch it and decide.
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