Casablanca

The film Casablanca is a classic romantic film that has been around for many many years. The film takes place during World War II in Morocco in a city called Casablanca. Casablanca is occupied by a large number of people trying to get out of Europe who go to Casablanca in hopes of finding their way to the United States. There are a number of different types of people in Casablanca at this time from refugees, to Nazi's and resistance fighters as well. There are also a good number of people who consider themselves above the law and will do anything for money and a visa.

Rick Blaine is the owner of Rick's Cafe which is the go to spot for all types. Sam is his pianist and friend from back in France. There are also a few other characters that make an appearance throughout the film, but none are as important as, Renault who is known by many titles but is basically the mayor and the 'big official' in the city. Then there is of course Ilsa, Rick's old love interest from back in France, and her husband Victor Laszlo who is a leader of the French Resistance, and is wanted by many people including Renault and the Nazi's. When Ilsa walks through the door of Rick's cafe with her husband all heads turn because she is known as one beautiful woman, and she really is. She then asks Sam to bring his piano over to her and sing a song that he has not played since their days together in France, and when he starts to play it and Rick hears it, he flips, then he sees Ilsa and is speechless at first. All those old feelings that he had for her come rushing back to him, and also to Ilsa even though she won't admit it at first.

We then find out that Victor and Ilsa are in Casablanca to get exit visas as well, and that they were supposed to meet an unruly crook who had been arrested earlier that evening at Rick's, luckily just after he gave the exit visas to Rick for safe keeping that is. Rick learns this and is torn about what to do exactly. The rest of the film shows the audience the real story about Rick and Ilsa when they were madly in love in France, while Victor was presumed dead. Ilsa struggles with listening to what her heart is telling her about Victor and Rick, and we are able witness the real love that she once shared with Rick. Being able to see how Rick was when he was with her brings a good light to him because he comes off pretty cold in the beginning of the film.

This is on of my all time favorite films, not because of the classic and beautiful love story that we witness between Rick and Ilsa, but because of the beautiful story about life during war. We are able to see who real people deal with such terrible situations in their everyday lives, and we witness the love that these people have for one another as well. This is a definite MUST SEE in my book because of the beautiful story that unfolds before our eyes. It full of every emotion that a movie should have and that is probably one of the reasons it is so good. Undying love, sadness, laughter, and even a little dislike, all feelings that are a part of real life, and that is why it is so full of life.