The 1942 film, Casablanca, is still known as one of the greatest movies of all time.  It is know for the performances by Bogart and Bergman, and for the many one liners such as, "Play it Sam."  However, having very recently watched it for the first time, I believe that the film has stood the test of time because of the character of Rick Blaine.  This story's main focus is on his character development.  Therefore, the theme of this film can be, "expressed in a brief description of the central character, with emphasis on the unusual aspects of the characters personality." (The Art of Watching Films - by Petrie and Boggs)

I usually do not appreciate Humphrey Bogart's performances.  I always thought of him as a very dry and unentertaining actor.  However, I believe that in this film he was perfectly cast.  He character is supposed to be mysterious.  He tries to give off the impression that he is perfectly neutral about everything.  Therefore, he is supposed to come across as uncaring and dry.  When it is revealed that he is a man who cannot let go of his bitter resentment toward a woman, he played the role as a very cold and bitter man.

This is a love story, but is does not end the way one expects a typical love story to end.  I think that the more important story here is the story of a heroic man who sacrifices his own happiness for the happiness of two others.  It took a wise man to know that Ilsa would not be happy in the end if she left her husband behind.

Though the script was based on a stage play, I did think that the writing was anything exceptional.  There were bits of humor and the writing did the job of unfolding the story, but I think that a better script could have developed even richer characters.

The setting of the plot invokes many universal themes.  These themes, such as heroism, strife, love, and sacrifice, are what make this film a classic.