Often rated as one of the best movies ever made, the ILCs Movie Club’s inaugural outing to see Casablanca at the Classics night at Camana Bay certainly didn’t disappoint. After we put our feet up in the comfort of the reclining leather seats of the VIP theatre we settled down to a glorious screening of this timeless film noir about love, loss and redemption.
Combining a glorious music score with an immortal dialogue Casablanca is the tale a cynical American expatriate struggling to decide whether or not he should help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape French Morocco during World War 2. Even if you’ve never seen it you’ve probably uttered one of its famous lines many of which have entered the common lexicon including “Here’s looking at you kid"; “I stick my neck out for nobody" and “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
Looking beyond the classic love story is a moral argument about the fight against terror and the plight of refugees that is as true today as it was when the movie was first released to audiences dealing with the horror of the Nazi threat in 1942. So Casablanca is also a piece of historical cinematic propaganda with witty humour and dark politics artfully blended around the pain of a bittersweet romance.
Ladies rated the film a solid ten out of ten. Afterwards we wondered who might play Bogart’s character Rick if the movie was ever re-made today… Harrison Ford a few years ago perhaps? Or George Clooney? My money goes on Ryan Gosling but it’s a moot point anyway as Hollywood considers it one of the “untouchables” that no studio should ever remake or revisit. As time goes by we can see why: Casablanca continues to have an enduring appeal.
Until next time, Ally – ILC Movie Club
ILC Movie Club
New for this year the Movie club aims to either visit the cinema or watch a movie at a members home once a month followed by discussion over a glass of wine. Movie details go out to members via the weekly updates. To join contact Ally Olarou
Next event: Scream Tuesday 22 October, 7pm RSVP Ally by 14 October 2019.
Click Here for movie details
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