Speaking of re-watching movies (previous post from the other day) one of the more popular that folks say they watch over and over is one of my least favorites – Casablanca.
On just about every Best Film lists, Casablanca is usually cited as one of the best and a certified Classic. Film lovers rave about it (click here.)
However, after trying to watch it a couple of times, I still don’t see what’s so great about it. I remember Howard Stern once saying something along the lines that when he watched a movie he wanted to see some action like things blowing up, car chase scenes etc.. He didn’t want to listen to a whole lot of dialogue. And while I am not as hard over about a lack of action as is Howard, when it comes to Casablanca I agree with him. Casablanca to me is just one overlong, very boring snooze fest. It’s dubbed a Romantic film but save for a little kiss and lots of longing looks, all of the romance is like the rest of the movie – pretty bland.
As for Bogart’s supposedly great portrayal of café owner Rick as a jaded and cynical old salt running a gin joint, remember that I grew up with Buzzy as my role model for that kind of gig. I don’t need to watch Bogey try and act it on screen because I have already seen it for real up close and personal. (That some parts of me are now morphing into Buzzy’s approach to things does give me a little pause however. Maybe I got more in common with Buzzy and Bogey’s Rick than I care to admit!)
And then there’s the whole “Play it again, Sam” malarkey about what was or wasn’t said. If you are unfamiliar with this to and fro, (click here).) Other famous quotes from the movie such as “Of all the gin joints…” “Shocked that there is gambling here” “We’ll always have Paris” and “This is the start of a beautiful friendship,” all sound kind of stupid and gay to me – not that there is anything wrong with that!
After all that I guess I’ve no choice but to lay this on you:
