Oscar Week: Casablanca

"I suspect under that cynical shell you are, at heart, a sentimentalist."

This week we celebrate those films that won the Best Picture Oscar to gear up for this year's Oscars on February 27. All week we'll be writing about one (or more) Best Picture winners. Some will be gems, some will not, however I thought I would start the week off with a bang by writing about one of the best movies of all time. If you disagree with that title going to Casablanca, read on and I'll tell you why it does deserve the title.

This movie is pure poetry. From beginning to end, there does not seem to be a weak moment. The lines float off the actors' lips in eloquent fashion and these lines are brilliant. This is one of the best written films of all time, a fact that is proven based on how many lines are often quoted (and misquoted). Feel free to scroll around the Internet Movie Database's list of memorable quotes from this movie here. You'll notice that the list is long and for good reason.

The direction and shots are marvelous. Even from the beginning as we see people watching a plane land in Casablanca and a woman says, "Maybe we'll be on that plane next time." We then watch as it takes flight over Rick's Cafe, and that is our introduction to Rick's place. Such a beautiful way to show the place and time we are in and to show where hope lies: planes and Rick's. We soon learn everyone goes to Rick's.

The use of music is outstanding in this film as well. We are first introduced to the song, "As Time Goes By," when Ilsa asks Sam to play it. Rick rushes in to remind Sam that he told him never to play that song and then he stops as he sees Ilsa. This is when we know that this is their song. The song becomes the backdrop for the emotion of the film. It is strategically used throughout to bring you closer to how Ilsa and Rick are feeling in those moments.

Frankly, this film is timeless. It is one that can be watched repeatedly and still enjoyed. It stands to be one of the best. After all, as the song says,

"It's still the same old story
A fight for love and glory
A case of do or die
The world will always welcome lovers
As time goes by..."