Pop star wants to butcher "Casablanca"
Feana Kotter
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: Opinion
Last Saturday, the London Daily Mail reported plans are being made to remake the 1942 box office smash "Casablanca." Rather than have the story set in French Morocco at the onset of World War II, the plot would take the remade version to Iraq. There are currently no hints of a cast, but the role of Ilsa - brilliantly played by Ingrid Bergman in the original - would be played by Madonna.
The Material Matriarch is allegedly communicating with several Hollywood studios in attempt to bring a remake of "Casablanca" to life. While Madonna had undeniable success as a recording artist, it is time for Madge to accept she will never be a movie star.
For starters, this film simply cannot be remade. Period. The chemistry between Humphrey Bogart and Bergman in the original is sublime. Every glance and sentence between the two is full of emotion, passion and damn good acting. No two actors will ever be able to match the visible brilliance of Bogart and Bergman. Not to mention Guy Ritchie would butcher the well-known quote "Here's looking at you, kid."
Remaking the film in Iraq is also a terrible idea. In the original, half of the tension and emotion is derived from Rick's dimly lit, smoky café in Casablanca. Numerous supporting characters anxiously wait for their chance to escape Casablanca, Morocco and the war itself.
While setting the film in Iraq would certainly depict the urgency of exiting a war-torn region, it would almost become a political rather than cinematic achievement. Madonna has constantly pushed the envelope in the past, but filming a remake there would drastically alter the premise of the movie by robbing the audience of the feeling that war is looming in the distance and the lovers must make their escape.
Everyone knows war continues in Iraq, and no retro, glitzy Hollywood set can change that.
Luckily, it appears no major studios are eager to take on Madonna and her crazy, albeit interesting, project. A source from a Hollywood studio is quoted as saying "the reception has been lukewarm, to say the least. No one can understand why she wants to redo what many people consider the greatest film of all time."
Hopefully, this project will never see the light of day, much less the light of Iraq. Remaking "Casablanca" may seem like an extraordinary project, but there is a reason great directors like Martin Scorcese and Steven Speilberg have never attempted a remake: It cannot be done. There never will be another "Casablanca", no matter how much Madonna tries.
The Material Matriarch is allegedly communicating with several Hollywood studios in attempt to bring a remake of "Casablanca" to life. While Madonna had undeniable success as a recording artist, it is time for Madge to accept she will never be a movie star.
For starters, this film simply cannot be remade. Period. The chemistry between Humphrey Bogart and Bergman in the original is sublime. Every glance and sentence between the two is full of emotion, passion and damn good acting. No two actors will ever be able to match the visible brilliance of Bogart and Bergman. Not to mention Guy Ritchie would butcher the well-known quote "Here's looking at you, kid."
Remaking the film in Iraq is also a terrible idea. In the original, half of the tension and emotion is derived from Rick's dimly lit, smoky café in Casablanca. Numerous supporting characters anxiously wait for their chance to escape Casablanca, Morocco and the war itself.
While setting the film in Iraq would certainly depict the urgency of exiting a war-torn region, it would almost become a political rather than cinematic achievement. Madonna has constantly pushed the envelope in the past, but filming a remake there would drastically alter the premise of the movie by robbing the audience of the feeling that war is looming in the distance and the lovers must make their escape.
Everyone knows war continues in Iraq, and no retro, glitzy Hollywood set can change that.
Luckily, it appears no major studios are eager to take on Madonna and her crazy, albeit interesting, project. A source from a Hollywood studio is quoted as saying "the reception has been lukewarm, to say the least. No one can understand why she wants to redo what many people consider the greatest film of all time."
Hopefully, this project will never see the light of day, much less the light of Iraq. Remaking "Casablanca" may seem like an extraordinary project, but there is a reason great directors like Martin Scorcese and Steven Speilberg have never attempted a remake: It cannot be done. There never will be another "Casablanca", no matter how much Madonna tries.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
modestJ
posted 4/03/08 @ 12:29 PM CST
The original is just fine the way it is. I personally don't wanna see it remade into something like Casaskanka.
Post a Comment