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December 04, 2005

Casablanca

Last night I watched the film Casablanca for the very first time.

Yes, I know I'm rather late to the party. Most people my age (cringe) who love films have probably seen Casablanca twenty times or more. Honestly I'd just never managed to get around to it until now. My recent subscription to Netflix has made it easy for me to remember to rent titles I've been meaning to see.

Impressions:

The storyline of this film is quite timely to many of today's events. While its about WW2 events, the notions of standing up for what is right even in the face of great danger and personal risk is the ultimate in heroism.

This film was costumed, lit and shot in a way that took such advantage of Ingrid Bergman's physical characteristics. Every time she comes on screen you can't take your eyes off of her. Bogart is the superior actor in the film. But due to the etheral beauty of Bergman, her character jumps off the screen every time.

Bogart is quite brilliant. During the flashback scenes of Paris, Rick's joy and love literally transform his appearance. His face is soft. His spine is straight and tall. The moment he reads her note at the train station as he and Sam flee Paris, Rick's body and face change. He becomes hunched. The lines on his face are more prominent. The shadows on his face (this may be due to the way the film is lit as well) seem much more a part of the character.

I was dissapointed that we didn't get to see more of Captain Renault, the French Prefect. He practically steals the film out from under Bogart and Bergman in several scenes. His own transformation as he witnesses Rick's sacrifice is a mixture of admiration and envy...his cynicism literally melting in front of our faces.

This one definitely merits a spot in my top 5 fav films.

Posted by Carla at December 4, 2005 09:12 AM