Your Voices is a simple concept created to encourage conversation and opinions between movie lovers. It works like this: I throw out a certain topic and I’ll take time to make my case or share my opinions. Then it’s time for Your Voices. Head to the comments section and let fellow readers and moviegoers know your thoughts on the topic for that day!
Bogart and Bergman – “Casablanca”
As regular readers have noticed, this is a week-long celebration of the 1942 classic “Casablanca”. Now many films have been granted the title of “classic” but they often times don’t deserve them. Some of these films have stood the test of time while others have seen their praise shrink and new criticisms surface. So how does “Casablanca” stand now that over 70 years have passed? Has it maintained the magic that once heralded it as a motion picture classic or has it faded like many of the Golden Age flowers?
For me the answer is simple. “Casablanca” is the greatest movie ever made (yes I know that is an impossible title to justify). “Casablanca” managed to capture the perfect mixture of ingredients that not only produced a phenomenal movie of its time, but it has only gotten better with age. The cinematic mastery both in front of and behind the camera is a true rarity. The simmering chemistry between Bogart and Bergman. The top-notch supporting cast featuring Henreid, Rains, Veidt, Lorre, Greenstreet, etc. Curtiz’s impeccable direction. The Epsteins (and Koch) flawless script. For me “Casablanca” is the perfect film and it is one of the few movies that I would categorize as timeless. But those are my thoughts. What about you?
YOUR VOICES: “Casablanca” – One of the best films ever made or just a good movie?
Now it’s time for Your Voices. So what do YOU think of “Casablanca”? Does it deserve the high praise it has received? Do you even like the film? Please share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. After all, this is all about Your Voices and I can’t wait to hear what you have to say.
Keith & the Movies 
No doubt it’s a classic film and I really like it. I am one of those who thinks it’s slightly overrated, however. Maybe I expected too much, I don’t know, but it just didn’t quite live up to the hype for me. It’s still a great film though, no doubt about it.
Booooooo!
Ahem, ok now that that is done… I have heard some folks who either see it as overrated or just think it’s an ok movie. I was really anxious to hear from them. I’m curious about what didn’t work for that particular audience.
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You may want to fix your post…because you say that Bogart and Bacall had chemistry (which they did on many occasions) but this is Bergman.
And I truly agree with you that this deserves that title of classic! It is not my favorite movie ever made, but it is one of those deemed classics that never feels overrated to me, as some feel. Every time I watch this I’m in awe at how great it really is. It lived up to the hype and the praise and really deserves that status.
Ouch! Thanks so much for pointing out that blunder. Completely typed the wrong thing.
Love hearing your excitement about the movie. I always love hearing when someone appreciates it like I do. It truly is one of those rare instances where I would use the word “Timeless”.
I think Casablanca is a great movie, without question. However, I felt slightly underwhelmed when I saw it a couple years ago. It is a film I have been wanting to revisit though, especially given your enthusiasm this week.
Interesting. There are several people who feel that way, especially those who are recently seeng it for the first time.
I’d have to sit on the fence a little here. It’s been far too long and I was far too young to give the film the proper respect that it’s due. Even from a young age, though, I really liked it and wouldn’t argue with it being regarded a classic. I’d still have to revisit it, though, just to formulate my thoughts.
That’s 100% fair. I would have to do that on several films that are perceived as classics by others. It has simply been too long since I’ve last seen them.
Again, the big reason I’m asking this is because I have heard from those who are on the fence with the movie or simply do not care for older pictures at all. That always breaks my heart to a degree because there are so many wonderful old movies out there.
Well, you got me convinced to go see it, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The more I think about it the more I like it, so I must say it was very well worth the watch in my opinion, and I can see why it is such a classic. It has some fantastic acting and that really carries everything incredibly well. Thanks for the fantastic recommendation!
So glad you liked it. For me it’s a movie that I could watch any time. It never gets old. The complex characters, the wartime tensions, the well-placed bits of humor, the setting, it all works perfectly within the movie. Again, so glad you gave it a watch.
I thought it was a really good movie and deserves its classic status. For me it’s always going to be Seven Samurai and It’s a Wonderful Life.
Both movies I absolutely love as well. Great films!
I have only seen Casablanca once but it’s still fresh in my memory – so yes, it’s definitely a great classic. Good inspiration to rewatch it.
Great to hear. I had the same reaction the same time I saw it. Still fairly vivid in my mind.