Rent Casablanca on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Philip G. Epstein and Julius J. Epstein and Howard Koch (screen play by), Murray Burnett and Joan Alison (from a play by), Casey Robinson (uncredited)
Directed by: Michael Curtiz
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt
Rated: PG
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Plot
A cynical expatriate American club owner struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.
Verdict
This a movie where the reputation precedes it. It's a cultural icon. The story is interesting enough, a jaded cynic that claims to only look out for himself has a change of heart and risks his life to help someone he used to love. It's a great story. It was popular upon release, but now it understandably seems dated. There's a reason it endured. From the stars to the love triangle, we're rooting for the pair to get back together and he does something completely selfless, counter to all we know about him. This isn't a love story where the couple ends up together, they're separated and that gives the story all the more impact.
Watch It.
Review
Set during World War II, Casablanca is the end point for people trying
to get a Visa and flee the Germans in an attempt to reach America. Due
to that, there are many there to take advantage of the desperate.
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| Humphrey Bogart plays Rick Blaine |
Rick (Humphrey Bogart) is a cynical club owner that doesn't stick his neck out for anyone. He's making a nice enough living with a business in a perfect location. That's about to change when Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) and her husband Victor (Paul Henreid) enter the cafe. The Germans are quite interested in him, and she seems to know Rick. Ilsa and Rick have a past. She's not just the one that got away, she disappeared years ago, only leaving him a note that she can never see him again. They were going to flee to Paris together. He left everything behind.
Ilsa admits she never would have come to Casablanca if she knew Rick was there. He wonders if she left him directly for Victor or if there were others. She seems to still care for Rick, but she doesn't tell him what happened. If she admitted the truth here the movie would be over. Victor doesn't know about Rick. Ilsa seems to be keeping silent, hoping to get out of this situation.
Ilsa and Victor need to get out of the city, and Rick is the only one that can help them. He has the documents they need. She tries to force him to comply before admitting what happened. He's heartbroken, but at least now he understands why and has closure. He in turn agrees to help her. He still cares for her and wants to ensure her safety, even if it's not with him. With the German military after Victor, he encourages Rick to take Ilsa away. Victor wants to save her while Ilsa plans to stay with Rick in gratitude for saving Victor.
Rick actually plans to send both of them away, knowing they belong together. Rick is this jaded guy that doesn't care about anyone else. Due to losing Ilsa years ago, he's isolated himself. It proves to be a lot of bluster as he helps Ilsa and Victor because he still cares about her. It's a selfless act from who we thought was a self centered guy.
This is a love story where the main characters don't end up together. Rick instead does what's best for his love, sending her away with her husband.
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