Almonds and dried cranberries. Addicting and they taste good. Give it a try.
It finally all makes sense to me now. I mean, there are so many references to this movie, so many quotes that I was guilty of using but never knowing its source. Practically all of the ingenious When Harry Met Sally revolved around the characters of AFI Number 3 Casablanca.
I must admit, the movie was made in 1942 and it's a love story, plain and simple. Now I must admit, I'm not the biggest fan of love movies because I tend to associate them with your typical "chick-flick," but love stories in the 1940's are so much better than the modern stuff. Yeah, so some recent films might slip out that actually tug on your heart strings, but not many. Casablanca was a different story, seeing that it had my attention the entire time.
The movie, in my opinion, was complete, in that not only was it a love story, it had components of friendship, war time genre, and other side relationships that propelled the film forward. I was definitely fond of Humphrey Bogart's character who was that super nice guy but didn't want anybody to know. I couldn't help but think that I had to look up where I could buy that white suit, 'cause it was pretty slick, I must say. I imagine myself putting it on one night, buying my first pack of cigarettes, going to a local club,and then lean on the bar counter looking so cool. Then I would buy a drink, wink at some girls, light a cigarette, inhale, choke, gag, convulse in a weird way that draws the kind of attention you don't want, and die a horribly embarrassing death in front of the crowd of Abercrombie and Fitch wearing college students.
Now to the characters. You've got Humphrey Bogart's Slick Rick as I like to call him. Such a suave guy who knows how and when to act, managing to avoid trouble while inadvertently helping others. You have his close friend Sam, who plays that oh so familiar hit, "As Time Goes By," (which plays near the finale of When Harry Met Sally). The captain, Renault, now he made me chuckle quite often. I liked his brash personality and straight forwardness. For a second I was beginning to lean towards the idea that he was a son-of-a-gun German supporter, but it was clear that it was all fo' sho'. Finally, you have Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa.
I spaced down a little because I felt she deserved a clear paragraph for herself. OK, so nowadays, you turn on the TV or open a magazine or accidentally look at the cover of a magazine that you were trying to avoid your entire time at the store but it got you right as you were ready to check out. Well, in these various forms of media, especially the sinister magazine cover, you see the typical beautiful movie stars and models. Now, yes, they are pretty, some very very pretty. But when I saw Casablanca, and I saw Ingrid Bergman, my first thought was that she was beautiful. Beautiful in a way that you almost want to whisper it or it might ruin the moment. This is the marrying type, because I mean really, what would Mom say if you brought home Jessica Simpson or someone like that? "Yes Mom, I'm sure she finished elementary school." Ingrid is the type that probably has 3 doctorates under her arm. Simply put, she puts a smile on my face.
OK, that's enough space.
"I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship." It's nice to have someone there with you once you just let go of a girl you fell in love with and she ran off, and you were left thinking you would never see her again, (becoming somewhat bitter), just for her to come back, (and you becoming bitterer), and at the same time see her with another guy, (making you become bittererer) and have a feeling of wanting to kill her and kiss her at the same time, (a feeling of the utmost bitterest), and then actually get to kiss her, passionately one should note, and then see her leave again, with the other chump, (the ultimate low of bitterment), who's really a nice guy, but he just happened to be on the bad side of things, and you're left where you were, except, now as a result of the preceding events you have to leave the country and flee for your life (at which point you forgot what it was to feel bitter and now have this new mixed feeling of resentment, depression and happiness)...yeah, it's nice to have a friend sometimes.
Two thumbs up for this one. And seeing that I don't like to play favorites among my fingers, two pinkies up too.
Summary: cool guy, nice friends, BEAUTIFUL woman, bitter, lovely, bitter, lovely leaving me with a relaxing sigh as the movie ended. I like that feeling. So far, this movie would be my safe bet to recommend to anyone and everyone.
