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The Script/Screenplay
As crisp as anything ever written. Written in a time where "The Code" required you to have cooth or to creatively use double entendres, Casablanca never lets up. I think a testiment to it's timelessness is that I sat in a room of 60 20-25 year olds and watched this film. Usually, I cringe at the reaction classic films get from people of this age. Before we even were introduced to Ilsa, the group had reacted positive atleast 5 times.
The role of scorned lover is particularly gripping, and realistic. Even today, Bogart's character seem relevant. The anger and cyniscim woven into the role could only be penned from first hand experience, and only understood by those who have felt it. One of the best characters ever created.
As for the story, the themes of impossible triangles are set up beautifully. You have Rick deciding whether he will betray Victor or lie to Renault, Renault battling with his allegiance to either France or the Reich, and finally the most important, Ilsa deciding between Rick and Victor. The constant struggles between love and duty, devotion and passion, morality and desire drive this film. The viewer is presented the story as an outsider already 30 minutes late. Hitting the ground running, you try to put the pieces together to find the connection between all of these people.
As for the ending, a better one has not been written. Although it was written by commitee and was almost forced to happen this way, it (much like everything in this film) fell into place wonderfully. With the undertones of patriotic pride, a higher sense of morality, and finally an acceptance of inevitability, the whirlwind story comes to a grand finish. In the final moments, you have a betrayal, redemption, murder, love, and failure. And eventhough it wasn't in the original shooting script, the final line is one of the greatest ever (ranking with Apocolypse and Usual Suspects).
Casting/Cast
I'll continue this when I have more time.......
Quotations
I'll continue this when I have more time.......
__________________
Ah, but how could I enjoy the sweet of life without the bitter?
Marisa Tomei: The last beacon of virtue in Hollywood.
'That doesn't mean Notoriousaurus won't be wearing his ass for a hat.'-Frank Gunn
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