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Casablanca (1942)
'This story doesn't have an ending yet...'
About 2/3 into Casablanca, Humphrey Bogart's Rick says to Ingrid Bergman's Ilsa that this story doesn't have an ending yet. It is profoundly true, and this could be said of the ending of Casablanca also. Although Rick and Ilsa may well have said their very last goodbyes, the stories of these, and many other characters, in Casablanca are far from over at the 'end' of the film. What happened after Ilsa and Laszlo got on that plane? Did Louis and Rick's beautiful friendship last beyond the runway? And whatever happened to Sam? This is what makes Casablanca a truly unique film; you could make another three or four films about what happens to the characters after Louis and Rick walk off into the mist and it wouldn't get boring. It also gives Casablanca not just a great ending but one of the best in cinema history because it ties up the main story but leaves lots of other stories and questions unanswered before the events of the film as well as after like Rick's shady past in the US before he came to Casablanca.
It shouldn't have worked though and how it did is still a mystery. The script was changed on a daily basis during shooting and many people, including Ingrid Bergman herself, thought the film was second-rate and nothing more. Still, almost seventy years on the film still remains among the favourites of film lovers around the World and at the pinnacle of many people's film collections, mine included. It manages to capture the fear, the suspense and the intensity of the situation in and around Europe at the time and how it reverberated to places like Casablanca and eventually, the World. It encapsulates the power of film that it can take us back to this corrupt, dangerous and unsure World and this again makes Casablanca stand out from the crowd as it does this with such power and conviction. It is no coincidence that it was shot during the war and so this also adds to the air of realism the film has to offer.
Casablanca is one of those rare films that gets better with every watch. The pace of film is very much non-stop from the word go whilst the plot has many twists and turns, so it is almost inevitable that a first time viewer will miss something important or some of the smaller details that the film has to offer. On multiple viewings the film seems to become even darker and more cynical than I had thought before and yet it is still very uplifting in parts. In other words, it's a roller-coaster of a film. It needs to be seen if you have even a passing interest in film. It's one of the essentials and for good reason. Haven't seen it? Get watching!
The Snows of Kilimanjaro (1952)
Like A Travel Guide of the 50's
This low key affair starring Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner as torn apart lovers is set in France, Spain and of course Tanzania, Africa. With these gorgeous settings it's a shame the film doesn't quite match up to them as it is rather dull in some places by comparison. On the other hand, there are some very entertaining and moving sequences like when Cynthia (Gardner) and Harry (Peck) first meet, when Cynthia loses her baby, when she runs of with the dancer in Spain and when she ultimately meets her demise in the Spanish Cival War. Unfortunately, when Gardner is out of the picture the film just isn't the same. Peck is surprisingly dull as is Susan Hayward and the scenes with Hildegard Knef as Countess Liz are just plain annoying.
But in the end the film doesn't match it's glamorous and exotic locations which is a shame. However, there is some enjoyment to be had and this isn't a bad film just an above average one in which Ava Gardner steals the show.
The Kid (1921)
More Likely To Make You Cry Than Laugh
Although I found The Kid to be a very good film I must say that there are very little laughs in this movie compared to other Chaplin films. For example 'The Gold Rush' was ten times funnier then 'The Kid'. However, if you don't find yourself feeling at least a little bit of emotion towards the Tramp and the Kid then you must have a heart of stone. The way Chaplin makes you feel so sympathetic for the main two characters is unbelievable, it was agonising to watch at times. You are rooting for Chaplin to end up with the Kid and live a lifetime of happiness. Its a very emotional film indeed, but if you're looking for a side splitting comedy to watch for a night in watch this another time.