Casablanca

1) Relate what was discussed in class or the text to the screening.

Casablanca is a classic melodrama, that has been put on the top 100 best movies of all time. Casablanca was set in Casablanca, Morocco, during the early days of World War II and directed Michael Curtiz. Michael Curtiz won best director of Casablanca. The movie was written by Julius J., Howard Koch, and Phillip G. Epstein. Casablanca was praised so much because of its perfect balance of romance, comedy, and suspense. It was a film that depicted love and war, honor, and lost love. 

2)  Find a related article and summarize the content.  
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/16/casablanca-romance

Casablanca is one of the best romance films of all time that expresses love separated by war. The story line revolves around not if the two will survive war, but will their love survive with the distractions of desire and temptation. The article expresses how realistic the movie seems to be to real life. It quotes, " Casablanca stands for movie romance in great part because it is hardly true to life." At the time of the war, divorce rates were increasing but Casablance gave couples hope; it promised them that war doesn't always have to separate them. 

3) Apply the article to the film screened in class.  

Casablanca made me happy. I am not always a fan of love stories but this film was truly created beautifully and the fact that the film was created around War times made it wonderful. It is the perfect drama. While watching the movie , one notices the great cast and also how confusing the film is. As viewers you don't know if the love isn't going to work or if it will grow stronger. A lot of romance stories are cliche , but this movie wasn't. The scene of La Marseillaise was beautiful. and when you hear the quote of, " kiss me, kiss me , as if it was the last time;" you fall in love with the entire movie. 


4) Write a critical analysis of the film

Casablanca is one of the best romantic films in America due to its storyline and stellar  cast. The film is about Rick Blaine, an ex freedom fighter who now runs a night club during the early part of World War II. The local authorities are hounding Captain Renault about becoming a haven for refugees looking to transit into America. One day Rick is approached by Victor Lazslo and his wife, IIsa, who happened to be Ricks true love who left him when the Nazi's invaded Paris. She initially wanted Victor to escape to America with her, but now that Rick is now back in her life she wants to stay behind in Casablanca. She doesn't know  what to do at this point as she says to Rick, " you must do the thinking for both of us," in which he does in not a so happy ending.