Films to see

Casablanca is more than just a classic. It is exploring the medium to the fullest extend, and for this, it deserves to be called the king amongst films.

The film works on several layers. There is a fair deal of symbolism. Notably, the clever use of shadows to convey various messages. For example, there is a lot of images resembling prison bars, which helps to set the mood. The film uses all sorts of techniques to paint the mood further, and this mixture works great, because it feels very natural, and it gets the idea across.

There is a great focus on dialogue in Casablanca. You'll notice a lot of hidden meanings in-between lines, some of which will make you smile, and others will make you shed a tear or two. It is a very emotionally charged film without being sentimental.

The story is extremely cleverly structured. It unfolds bit by bit, each time revealing some more information about the characters, through both direct and indirect characterization. This creates a feeling of a gradual change, which adds to the emotional strength of the film. The audience is let on some secrets, while they have to wait longer for other ones, which results in a very gentle form of suspense, aiding the film's progression.

Casablanca is a beautifully shot film with a strong story and ingenious technical aspects. It is a pleasure to watch the first hundred of times at least.