Casablanca (1942)

Synopsis: It's hard to give a synopsis of this movie without spoiling any part of it because this movie's major selling point is the plot. But I will give a brief overview. This movie follows Rick Blaine, Humphrey Bogart, whose an exile from France after Germany occupied France in the Second World War. He now resides in Casablanca which is occupied by French Africa. This place is famous for it's port to Lisbon, which is in the America's, the only safe haven for refugees outside the Nazi's reach. Rick owns a saloon, the best one in town. Everything is going great until a flash from the past, an old love Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) comes back in his life. Things begin to fall apart politically, economically, and emotionally leaving Rick in the toughest situation he's been in and forcing him to make the toughest decision he has ever had to make.

Why You Should Watch It: If you have ever wondered where modern drama from all around the world, including Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese dramas get their ideas, this is the movie. This movie, which was filmed in 1942, has set the standard for all dramas. It resembles modern day dramas so much that it's either scary how revolutionary this movie was for it's time or it just shows how modern minds have lost it's creativity. Without praising every detail of this movie, cause that would take too long, lets just say that this movie has it all! Literary, it has everything.

Things to Watch Out For: The dialogue. It's a little fast at times but it's absolutely brilliant. I don't think I've ever watched a movie where the dialogue is better. Each sentence feels natural yet carefully constructed for each scene. The monologues and speeches are perfectly placed and delivered with just the right amount of gusto making you feel as if Rick was talking to you when he says: "Here's looking at you kid"!

Things You Don't Expect:There are two things. The first is the great acting. Sure there is a lot of over acting compared to modern day cinema but it was the style at the time. Everyone played their roles perfectly even the extras were pinpoint in their acting. The second is the music. After watching this movie you will automatically want to download the soundtrack. I did. And the scene where the French patrons began singing La Marseillaise in response to the German soliders. Moments like that jerk at your heart strings and make you forget why you hate France so much even if it's just for a moment. Viva La France!

Final Score: 9.2