I have observed that most teenagers these days veer away from films that don’t involve vampires or have actors who are at least one of the three S’s (shallow, stupid and sexy). Well I am writing today to prove that the classics are still appreciated. I hope that all you teens out there are reading this, because I am about to introduce you to the greatest movie of all time…(pause for effect)... Casablanca. 

I have a feeling that a few of you just sighed in annoyance that I chose such an old movie, but just wait and hear me through. Casablanca has just the right blend of shooting, kissing, drinking, drama and beautiful romance to wow any viewer, whether you’re old and gray or young and pierced.

Casablanca was produced in 1942, so it was made in the glorious age of black and white movies. I personally love movies without color, it allows you to imagine just a bit about the characters. Rick Blaine (played by the amazing Humphrey Bogart) owns a cafe in the town of Casablanca, Morocco in December of 1941. For the benefit of everyone who slept through history class, this is during World War II. Nazis occupy the area and a large amount of refugees are stuck in this African city. Many are attempting, without much success, to gain ownership of the letters of transit that will allow them to get to America. At the beginning of the movie, you will see a man getting shot down just for carrying these letters; this short scene emphasizes just how desperate people were to obtain these important papers.

One supporting actor that I feel needs to be briefly recognized is Ingrid Bergman. Bergman plays the part of Ilsa, Rick’s former lover who comes to his cafe with her husband, trying to get letters of transit.  Following this comes a few romantic scenes and a flashback when Rick gets drunk after seeing Ilsa for the first time since she left him.
Don’t worry, I won’t bore you any longer. Now you have two choices; you can either go back to texting or eating or whatever trivial thing you were doing before you started reading this, or you can immerse yourself in this incredible work of art. So long as you have a heart and soul, you will not regret watching Casablanca.