The plot unfolds around a Casablanca nightclub owned by an American – Rick. Rick’s clientele includes Lazlo – a former gunrunner, Renault – a corrupt French officer, German officials, and refugees. Through a unique sequence of events, Rick finds himself in possession of valuable documents guaranteeing safe passage through occupied Europe and confronting his former love interest – Ilsa. Although Ilsa is now married to resistance leader Lazlo, she is still in love with Rick. Under German orders, Renault pursues Lazlo, but Rick convinces them to let Lazlo go. In love with Ilsa, Rick gives the couple the documents to evade to neutral Portugal. A German official appears, Rick shoots him and Renault turns a blind eye, suggesting Rick join the Free French.
Produced during the height of WWII, this black and white film changed Hollywood forever.
Casablanca is the trope codifier of modern Hollywood film formula and defines its style, but no subsequent films have been able to mimic its complexity or replicate its success. The film has earned its legendary status by mixing moral roles of characters, where the protagonist commits crime for love, the antagonist is not the villain, and the relationship character is despicable and intriguing.
In Casablanca, Rick’s love for his love interest overcomes him to the point that he is willing to relinquish Ilsa to Lazlo, Lazlo is an amiable resistance fighter against the Nazi’s, and Renault is divided between aiding the Nazi forces, maintaining French neutrality, and reconciling with Rick. This melting pot of drama, romance, and comedy ultimately ends in sacrifice for the greater good in desperate times.
Casablanca is a highly acclaimed timeless classic that every movie enthusiast and cinema aficionado needs to watch.
Here’s to looking at you, kid.
