B) Enact the actual conversation.

 

Linda: Oh, I wanted to watch “Casablanca” on the TV last night but I didn’t get in time.

Joe: Oh, you didn’t get to see it, then.

Linda: No, did you see it?

Joe: Oh, yes, it’s a brilliant film, it’s a wonderful film. Yeah, I watched it again, I watch it any time it comes on because it’s a classic film, I never miss it.

Linda: Yes.

Joe: Er …yeah, you should have seen it. I mean the acting is fantastic …

Linda: Is it?

Joe: …you’ve got Humphrey Bogart playing Rick who runs this bar in Casablanca on the north coast of Africa and Morocco. And, er …Ingrid Bergman comes in to the story, Clark Raines, Paul Heinrich they are all wonderful.

Linda: Hmm, and what about the plot? The plot’s supposed to be very exciting, isn’t it?

Joe: Oh, it’s an outstanding plot, really. It’s er … got everything you need, it’s a very emotional love story, Ingrid Bergman’s married to this chap, and they come in, and she sees Humphrey Bogart, who was an old lover, and it starts the whole thing all over again, and, it moves, you know, in the midst of this strange setting, very gripping stuff.

Linda: Yes, and it’s supposed to have a very powerful ending as well, isn’t it?

Joe: It does, it has a very memorable ending, indeed. It’s an ending the image of which has been used in many commercials, it’s that popular.

Linda: Yeah. So what would you say is your favourite scene in the film?

Joe: Oh, I think the ending without question. It is …it’ so moving, and Bogart is, er …and Bergman saying their farewell at this …at the airport, it’s an image you never forget, it’s, er …a love story that is …archetypal, it’s outstanding. No question, it’s something that you should certainly see.

Linda: I really must get to see it, yeah.

 

Exercise 41. In pairs. Call your friend and invite him/her to the retrospective

screening of “Casablanca”. Report what Joe said about the film