Casablanca

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...