Casablanca

Casablanca, directed by Michael Curtis, takes place in the early days of World War Two in unoccupied Africa. Our protagonist Rick Blaine, played by the brilliant Humphrey Bogart, is an American running the hottest nightclub in Casablanca. Our leading lady Ilsa Lund, played by Ingrid Bergman, is Rick’s one and only vice. After spending time together in Paris and falling in love with Ilsa, Rick is torn asunder when Isla inevitably abandons him on the evening they plan to escape German invasion and flee Paris. Years later in Casablanca, Ilsa and her husband Victor Laszlo, played by Paul Henreid, waltz into Rick’s nightclub, forever changing both of their fates. Another twist in our story comes about when Rick manages to find himself with two valuable letters of transit, something very scarce in Casablanca. 

As plots thicken and intentions unfold, we find Ilsa planning on staying in Casablanca with Rick, whom she realized she can’t live without, and Laszlo taking one of Rick’s  letters of transit and leaving Casablanca to finish his revolutionary work in fighting the Gestapo. The true story behind the many plots within this Hollywood hit is not the heroism displayed by both Rick and Laszlo,  nor is it the doomed romance between Ilsa and Rick, but the transformation that occurs with our main character. From being a man with only himself to ever care for, to becoming our unlikely hero by putting aside his own well-being to help others, Rick’s metamorphosis from someone rough around the edges to someone selfless and kind is what makes Casablanca a truly great film. It could be argued that it is not the sole reason why people prefer Rick to Laszlo, though popular believe veers towards the contrary, but what makes a character likeable is not his willingness to change, even from good to bad, but the fact that he is flawed and interesting enough to not need to change.

Arguably what makes Rick a favorite character for the masses is his shift from his bad boy selfish image, to a completely selfless and charmingly sweet hero. These changes seem not be gradual, in fact, more of a complete 180, despite the  “if you blink you miss it” clues peppered throughout the beginning of the film that prove Rick is more than a brood. A naive audience is, of course, thrown for a loop when we get our final switch on a switch to discover Rick’s new disposition. We are charmed and sad for Rick’s sacrifice and we love him despite his prior chagrin demeanor. Personally, I did not love Rick because of his transformation, but in spite of it. Sure, he saves the day, he helps the girl, he single handedly wins the war, yadda yadda yadda, Rick’s the hero. Then comes sympathy because our hero, for probably the first time in Hollywood history, did not get the girl. So we pity him. I love the ending, I can appreciate Rick’s sacrifice, and could totally see it coming, sorry Michael Curtis, but I believe that our anti-hero Rick is likable not only because his transformation, but because he’s honest and blunt and doesn’t care what others think about him. Rick is not a stock or flat character, like Laszlo, but round because he is complex and dynamic, because he changes. 

He is more human than a cardboard cutout with lines (again, Laszlo). In the beginning of the film it is obvious, not only through other characters dialogue but also in Rick’s constant facial expressions reading boredom, that Rick is a hard man to impress. He is also very reserved and self-involved, affirmed by his famous catchphrase, “ I stick my neck out for nobody.” We see the various temperaments of Rick throughout the film, from his obvious heart-break over Ilsa as he drinks, a lot, and remembers the happier times with her and their inevitable split, to his refusal to a member of the Deutsche Bank to the bar’s private back room, proving his political sympathy with the Allies, despite his proclaimed indifference. Although his ultimate sacrifice and transformation at the end of the film are what make Rick memorable and appealing, his disgruntled and chagrin demeanor from the very beginning, are what make him relatable and fascinating. Rick is a lovable character throughout the film, even with all of his imperfections, he is engaging and provocative. I can honestly say that Rick was interesting, mysterious and enigmatical from the very beginning which makes him the best character in Casablanca.

Does his transformation make him all the more memorable? Yes, it does. The audience likes the change in Rick, just as much as we like his character flaws before his sacrifice. Things like creep, or miscreant, mischiefmaker, and lowlife are all synonymous with the term “Anti-Hero”, which is how Rick has been described. If you look closely you will see that Rick is none of these things, yes, he is mysterious due to the fact that he is unable to return home, and we never learn exactly why, but a lowlife? Surely not. Clearly he is rough around the edges, giving the appearance of an anti-hero, someone callus and sometimes even offensive, but Rick is noble. And despite his catchphrase, “I stick my neck out for nobody.” we know he is the hero of this story. We root for him the entire time. He might more accurately be described as the under-dog. Someone who will redeem himself after being downtrodden.  Rick is a favorite character for the masses, not because he is an anti-hero, or because he changes, but because he is the underdog, and because he overcomes his trials with vigar. Everyone can relate to being down and out, and his ability to triumph is aspirational. Rick was the hero all along, and though he was disguised as an anti-hero, a villain of sorts, the audience knows that Rick is the heart and soul of Casablanca.