How To Grow Your Geek: Parenting and More!

Hey guys,
Back when I told Dad I wanted to be a movie reviewer, he said I needed to sit down and watch the classics. See how good films were mad back in the day and how a lot of old movies influence a lot of the newer ones we have today. (I am not talking remakes.)
Well it’s two years later and I am just now getting around to watching the ones on his list, they do sound interesting; but i just couldn’t see me sitting down for two hours watching them back then. Now that I am older, I am starting to get into them more and more.
So this time around, I am going to do a review for our parents. Chances are they already seen this movie thousands of times, but maybe with me just discovering them for the very first time; maybe I can bring something new to it. Who knows, just maybe.

From the back of the cover – “The time: World War II. The place: Morocco. The film: Casablanca, perhaps most legendary achievement in cinematic history. Suspenseful, gloriously romantic and filled with unforgettable dialog, this winner of three Oscars continues top critics lists of all time favorite films, for as Rodger Ebert (My favorite reviewer. ) so aptly put it; “Casablanca is THE movie.” Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman light up the screen as Rick and Ilsa, former lovers briefly reunited in the chaos of war. He is a world weary nightclub owner who “sticks his neck out for nobody.” and she is a beautiful woman fleeing the Nazis with her resistance hero husband. Only Rick can the pair escape..and only if Ilsa can reawaken the idealism she killed in him when she left him long ago. Bogie and Bergman incomparable as the star crossed lovers who will always have Paris.”

Wow, where to start? This was just such a great movie with some much going on. Dad told me to break it down so that is just what I am going to do, this might get long but I don’t think you guys will mind too much.

It is World war two and the Nazi’s have started their march across Europe, they have already occupied France. The people are fleeing to safer areas before them, trying anything to get on planes and fly off to America. One place a lot of people have run to in Casablanca, where everyone is selling all they have, making shady deals with black market guys; and hoping against hope that the next plane to fly out, they will be on it. The Nazis are getting closer and time is running out.

Rick is the owner of a nightclub called Rick’s Cafe Americana, like it said above he is sad and world weary, meaning he does not trust people other that those that work for him and he does not try to help others. He makes very good money and as they say in the movie, sooner or later everyone comes to his club. As the Nazis start closing in and rounding of resistance leaders; even he looks longingly and planes as the come in of out of the city.
One of his friends is a french man who is the chief of police, I liked him the best out of all the characters. He was still a proud french man, even though when a high ranking Nazi general comes to town looking for the head leader of the resistance group, he is reminded that France is now occupied and that he is now under the rule of Germany. And has to do whatever the general tells him. He does so, but he is as sly as a fox and is just waiting for his chance to one up the general.

Years before, Rick met a young girl in Paris (Ilsa) and fell in love, he was much older than her but together they fled before the war’s advancement along with Rick’s friend and current piano player named Sam. It was so romantic seeing them falling in love and you could tell he was really wanting to spend the rest of his life with her. But there was just something about her that wasn’t quite right.

Ilsa, as I said is much younger than Rick, maybe by ten years? I am not really sure. When the have to flee Paris a head of the Nazis, they all agree to meet at a train station and leave on the next train out. As the rain pours down and the last train is about to leave, Rick is handed a later from a baggage carrier. It’s is from Ilsa saying that she is not able to leave and that he must go on without her. No other explanation. Sam pulls Rick aboard just as the train is pulling out.

Since then, Rick has made a name for himself; and has some of the richest customers who are all trying to get his attention and his help. In one scene we see that he really doesn’t stick his neck out for people; when someone he knows comes into the club and ask for his help in hiding some papers and fake passes that will allow someone to get out of the city. When the french police chief shows up, we learn that he murdered someone; I imagine for the papers. He pleads with Rick to save or hide him. But Rick just watches as he is gunned down while trying to run away. He feels bad about it, but he has so much he could loose I guess and people that work for him that getting involved could cause trouble for them as well.

It is then that Ilsa walks in on the arm of a handsome man. After all these years, she has found Rick and now needs his help. To get away with her husband before Nazis take over everything.

But now that Rick has papers and a way to get out with his friend Sam, will he leave her behind like she did him? Or is there still something there he feels for her, and will he put everything aside to help out the woman he one loved?

I watched this movie twice, that is how much I liked it. Second time we all sat and watched and I asked questions and took notes. It’s not too complicated, I just wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

At first I could not understand why they wanted Ilsa’s husband so bad. He makes a reference about a camp, so I thought maybe he was a prisoner and had escaped? Dad says it was because he was the leader of the resistance.

I also did not like Ilsa at all, at first I did bit later; no way. She just uses people I think and even with her pretty smile and acting nice, you can tell that she is not so innocent. I just could not feel sorry for her at all. And I wonder too, was she always married??? If so, wow. To do all of that for years just to get someone out.

(Sorry, that may be a spoiler, but come on this movie is older than dad.)

I really think, if for some reason you never seen it. I also think older teens might like it. There is mystery, romance, and a lot of plot twists to it.

There is also so many great lines! A lot I had heard before, so I hadn’t.

One of the best scenes that dad liked too, was just after Ilsa asks Rick for help and then leaves. He is sitting in the dark getting drunk, and Sam is trying to get him to get up and go somewhere. To forget about hings and move on. In that scene, with Mr Bogart’s acting; you can really see a devastated man. Someone that tried for years to forget someone, only to have her walk back into his life and cause trouble. You really get into his character then and really feel sorry fr him at this point.

So there you have it, I finally saw one of the all time classic films. I really wish I had not waited so long. It is easy to see why this won best picture back in 1943.
And I agree with Jenny, they just don’t make movies this good anymore. Which seems dumb, They could if they tried I think.

A little bit of trivia for you:

In doing research on this movie I came a across some cool stuff you guys might like.

in 1988, Sam’s piano that he played during the Paris scenes was sold at a auction for 154.000 to a Japanese collector.

Howard Koch’s Oscar for co writing the movie was also sold for 184,000.

The Lockheed Electra 12A used at the end of the film was discovered dusting crops in 1987. It was bought by Disney and is used for the Great Movie ride at Disney World Florida. (How cool is that?)

In 1970, for just 3.457 Warner Brothers musician Lyle Ritz bought the car that drove Rick and the french police chief to the airport, it is said it still had cigarette burns on the seat. Later in 1986 the same car went on auction and sold for 35.000.

So make sure you get this one and own it!

Darcy