We have a rule in our house about Casablanca. It can only be watched on dreary days (rain, storm, snow or blizzard). It's just that kind of film. Only on such a day can you feel the mood of the picture. I've probably watched the movie at least a dozen times but it is still my favorite. There is so much complexity in the film. There are layers there yet to be discovered.I was thinking of the movie today, even though I couldn't watch it (football games, need I say more?). What brought about such ponderings, other than the dreary day outside? Well, to be honest, it was the past week. It was one of those weeks when I kept thinking things would get better and they haven't. The good news I've been expecting hasn't arrived, yet. Faith is still required when I want to hold the results of faith in my hands. Waiting is not much fun.
In my own need for patience, I was thinking of the patience and perseverance of the people in Casablanca. Instead of looking at the story in Casablanca, I started a mental review of the story that led up to the scenes in Rick's club. War is all these people have known for a long time. They don't know that the end will come and our side wins. They are still at work for freedom. It is a movie about faith and love, commitment and not giving up. It's about doing the right thing, even when the right thing hurts. I'm not so sure such a movie would be made, anymore. Times are different. Society is different. You don't hear as much about honor and sacrifice anymore.
So I've pulled my DVD off the shelf and put it on top of my TV. I've checked the forecast and there's a chance of rain again later in the week. A perfect day for making tea, finding a soft pillow and throw, and stretching out on the sofa to watch my favorite movie. My own challenges are small in contrast to a world war and the threat to freedom everywhere and for that, I can be thankful.
3 comments:
I've never seen Casablanca.
A year or so ago, I determined to go through all the old classics from the shelves at the local Showtime Video Store. Happily, they have tons of them.
I started with the A section. I didn't watch every single one but I do remember trying "An Affair to Remember" (thanks to "Sleepless in Seattle") but I didn't like it and didn't finish it. I never did make it to Casablanca.
It's warm and sunny here today in northern Ca. but I think I'll drive over to Showtime and check out some old videos again. I don't remember why I stopped doing it. Maybe because I started buying dvds and we got into those?
I'll let you know what I think after I watch it.
Does it count if I watch it on a sunny day? How about in the evening of a sunny day...close enough? :)
Joanna
I was discussing this movie with our daughter just last night, contrasting it to movies of today where two people fall in lust with each other even though they are already comitted to other people and the audience always seem to cheer for the adulterous couple to get together. Oy! How easily we are sucked into lies while watching cute chick-flicks! *sigh* I'll have to rent this movie soon and let our daughter see it. It is a classic in a true sense of the word. :)
Anonymous, that is so funny because that is the way I find DVDs at the library. They are in alphabetical order and I always start at the "A's!
Yes, it can be watched on a sunny day for the first viewing. I'll let you do that but only once. :)
Calla Lilly, I was just thinking the same thing yesterday about the difference between Casablanca and today's movies. Did you know it was against the movie code at the time for the woman to leave her husband for another man??? I just read that.
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