Casablanca Movie Analysis

When anyone thinks of vintage Hollywood films, Casablanca is definitely in the minds of most people. It has been hailed as one of the greatest movies of all time, receiving three academy awards. Even though it was made in 1942, it is still watched by many movie fanatics because of its wide appeal to critic and viewer alike. Casablanca is a movie everyone should watch because it is full of great acting and a well written plot full of romantic drama and moral redemption.

Casablanca is set in Morocco during WWII, where refugees from Europe are fleeing away from German occupation. The main protagonist is Rick Blaine, a cynical American nightclub owner hiding from the Germans. Before he came to Casablanca, he intended to leave Paris with his beautiful

Humphrey Bogart plays the cynical and distant Rick Blaine, whose personality can be summarized by his quote: “I stick my neck out for nobody.” Despite this, Rick is capable of having a softer, more human side. The scene where Rick helps the young Bulgarian couple win at roulette shows he still has the ability to sympathize, a stark contrast to the cold exterior he chooses to display. Ilsa Lund, played by Ingrid Bergman, is the beautiful former love interest of Rick. She is a conflicted character who is torn between her love for Victor and Rick. However, she has an inner strength and will do anything to achieve her goals. In the movie, she points a gun at Rick and threatens to kill him if he does not give the letters of transit. This shows her conviction and support for her husband, Victor Laszlo. Laszlo is played by Paul Henreid, a rebel fighting for a noble cause. The scene where Laszlo encourages the people in Rick’s bar to sing “La Marseillaise” exemplifies his defiant nature. Captain Louis Renault, played by Claude Rains, is the comedic relief of the movie. He is a man who appears moral, but in reality is driven by pleasure and opportunity. For example, he attempts to take advantage of pretty refugees in exchange for visa papers and also receives regular winnings from the club he is ordered to close

The thing that is great about the characters in the story according to Roger Ebert, is that “some are cynical, some lie, some kill, but all are redeemed.” Casablanca appeals to what most audiences want in a story: to do the right thing. Throughout the movie, the characters realize what must be done, and that is something the writers did well to develop. In the end they showed this by having Rick, Ilsa, and Renault all choose to help Victor and the resistance. Roger Ebert also applauds the development of Rick from an apathetic individual to a noble and selfless man. Primarily, this part of the story pleases viewers because it makes the viewers admire Rick’s sacrifice and “to warm in the glow of his heroism.” Even Renault, an opportunist, chooses not to arrest Rick, instead deciding to “round up the usual suspects.” As a result, Roger Ebert gave Casablanca a perfect rating because the story develops the characters toward redemption and