Casablanca, directed by Michael Curtiz, is set during World War II where Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) runs the most popular nightspot in town, Rick’s Café Americain. He comes into possession of two valuable letters of transit. When Nazi Major Strasser (Conrad Veidt) arrives in town, French police Captain Renault (Claude Rains) does whatever to please him, which includes detaining Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid).
To Rick’s surprise, he arrives with Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) who ran out on him in Paris. When he learns she had a good reason to, they plan to run off together using the letters of transit. In the end, Ilsa and Victor leave together while Renault suggests he and Rick leave the town and join a Free French movement at this other town.
I assumed that the film would be the obvious romantic wartime drama between two lovers torn apart by conflicting political views with a happy ending- but I was proved wrong. Casablanca isn’t just another cheesy love story but it was a political and patriotic film. At this time in history, patriotism was important as World War II was taking place. Most of the main characters in the film have deep political and patriotic opinions and were willing to fight for the cause of freedom.
From my point of view, Rick Blaine was one of the patriotic characters in the film. Though he seemed bitter to the whole world, he helped a young couple win money so they can pay for their own letters of transit and have a better life in the United States. This action proved that despite his tough demeanor, he was willing to help others. Helping others is a good thing and this is why I consider Rick one of my favorite characters. In the film’s final scene, he helps Ilsa and her husband, Victor, board a plane to escape the persecution of the Germany army. Though he did love Ilsa, he managed to let her go in order for her to live a better life. It was the right thing to do and it made me realize that in life there always happens to be one person we have to let go of if we knew that it would make everyone live a better life.
The Essay on Casablanca Rick And Ilsa
Casablanca was a very interesting film. The first time that I watched it, I really had no idea what was going on. I found it a little hard to follow. But, after the second time around, a good portion of the movie became very clear to me. The setting takes place in Casablanca, Morocco and in Paris, France. At first the movie takes place in December 1941 at Rick Blaine's saloon in Casablanca. Rick ...
Another patriotic character in the film would be the character of Victor Laszlo. He suffered greatly and was sent to a concentration camp for going against the Nazi Germany government. Doing this is a sign of how much he wanted freedom for his people and himself- to do something as crucial as this meant that he was determined to fight for what was right. At first, I didn’t quite like his character but given the fact that he worked hard in order to achieve freedom made me grateful that there are people out there who care. In one scene, after hearing the Germans sing their national anthem, he has the French national anthem played and starts singing which influenced others to do the same thing until the Germans were drowned out. This was a very brave thing to do and though it would’ve cost him his life, he showed that the Germans weren’t in control of the French people present. This part of the film got me into thinking that even if there are other people who want to take control of other people, they should be stopped and shouldn’t be given the advantage to show their superiority.
Casablanca was more than just a love story. It turned out to have a deeper meaning than just a romantic relationship. Ambiguous enough to some, the film was sending a message to the Germans that there are people out there like Rick and Victor who are ready to take a stand for freedom. Given the challenges during this time, I’m happy to conclude that Casablanca was one of the most important films ever made.
