Casablanca saw Humphrey Bogart take on his very first romantic leading role, and his portrayal of Rick Blaine became one of the most iconic performances in cinema history. What could potentially descend into an endless string of cliches instead becomes a timeless love story thanks to a winning blend of comedy, drama, suspense and romance. Although essentially a romance flick, Casablanca also masquerades as anti-Axis World War II propaganda without ever distracting from the story. The movie also blends in elements of a wartime thriller, full of ambiguous characters and shifting motivations that create plenty of tension while also dealing with heavier themes of neutrality, exile and the inability to escape one's past. Aided by two legendary lead performances, Sam's unforgettable rendition of 'As Time Goes By' at the iconic piano and plenty of memorable lines (that are often misquoted), Casablanca has endured as one of the masterpieces of Golden Age Hollywood.
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