as time goes by
November 27, 2007I saw two films today for the firs time: Casablanca, the ultimate romance movie (yes, it was just my first time to watch this!); and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, the definitive "spaghetti western". These are supposedly two of the greatest films of all-time, and the reason why I came across them is because I was making my way down through the IMDB Top 250 films.
Supposedly two of the greatest… and I have to admit that I liked them both, with preference for Casablanca over GB&U.
Casablanca is just such a big-hearted film and I'm a sucker for the romance that I can't help but love it with all its memorable quotes and illustrations of lost loves and lost chances. Quite possibly one of the most heartwarming and sentimental romances ever put to film.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly on the other hand, as much as it has been revered through the decades, is anything but high art. Still, it doesn't have to be: It has an excellent narrative with very well drawn and engaging characters that any attempt at being "high art" would just dampen the enjoyable combination of action and comedic wit that this film has. It does run a bit too long for me, clocking at almost 3 hours, but it'll do.
Still, Casablanca is totally a winner in my books, and here's the signature song from that film:
"…the world will always welcome lovers… as time goes by…"
