I'll start with a disclaimer: I'm not a movie critic. I don't care about the history, the director's battle with the ills of the time or the statement that was being made. I watch movies for entertainment so if a movie fails to entertain me then it isn't a good movie.
Casablanca is, according to Mr Showbiz, the number 1 movie of all time. I think we are in trouble then! It wasn't a bad movie, I at least managed to sit through the whole thing, but it didn't grab me. I wouldn't bother pausing it if I had to go to the toilet!
It hasn't aged well. It was fun hearing all those classic quotes (and misquotes) but because the movie is such a "classic", it actually seemed a little cliched. Ironic since Casablanca wad the original back in the 1940s. But I was reminded of some of the more modern homages!
The first one that stood out was the classic adventure game Trial by Fire by Sierra. Ugarte, Ferrari and The Blue Parrot Inn all make an appearance. Then there was the cult 80s movie "Top Secret" that had a ton of Casablanca references and, of course, the Red Dwarf classic episode "Camille" just to name a few.
Would I watch it again? No. Am I glad I watched it? Sort of. It's like a little piece of movie history and it does have a good twist at the end.
I feel that I aught to have loved 'Casablanca' more than I did.
The problem for me was that I'd heard so much about it, my expectations surpassed the actual film!
The film was obviously cutting edge for the early 1940's and the subject brave given that it was shot during the Second World War.
I loved actually hearing the famous lines and thought that Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman were excellent.
Like Rob, I also thought the last 10 minutes were the best of the film.
It was just a little slow for me in places and certainly not my favourite film of all time.
Maybe I'll watch it again in a few years (after watching the other 99 films on this list) and have a greater appreciation. Until then though, a mid-range film for me.