Sorry I'm a little late but I joined the forum after this class ended! The movie is certainly one of the best ever made. It covers love, war, morality, scoundrels of every proportion...
First of all, the players. Bogie is, well, Bogie. Raines stole every scene he was in and delivered a number of memorable lines. Even the bit players were great (e.g., Karl and Sasha).
Rick runs the cafe after leaving Paris without Ilsa and he grows increasingly cynical, as the world falls farther into its own madness. That's when the love of his life walks in the door. A beautiful relationship that ended so abruptly and without explanation. The bitterness is visible on Bogie's face when he sees Ilsa, and spews his line about having Sam play "As Time Goes By". Who hasn't loved and lost and experienced that bitterness?
The flashback scene framed around the drinking binge afterhours was a wonderful add to the story. You see how carefree Rick used to be and just how far he sank after having his "insides kicked out of him". "Was it Laszlo you left me for or were there others in between--or aren't you the kind that tells?" Ugh! Just typing that line is powerful!
Finally it sinks in for Bogie and he does the right thing. Class. Maybe the film doesn't hold up for some because they don't understand why he lets the girl go (current example *SPOILER*, Spiderman not taking MJ up on her offer at the film's end). Correction, why he sends her away and why he's at peace with his decision. Tough stuff.
As for war, c'mon, what picture is a better war movie than one with Nazis?! Everybody hates Nazis--they are the ultimate evil. As for the scoundrels, there's the likable Renault and the perfect Peter Lorre ('what right do I have to think?'). The dual anthem scene gives me chills everytime I see it.
Quotable lines, excellent acting, tough 1940's talk, Nazis, Lorre, Raines, Bogie...
