Casablanca, the 1942 film directed by Michael Curtiz, is about cynical bar owner Rick Blaine. A run-in with the criminal Ugarte leaves Rick with transit papers needed to travel out of the country. Soon Elsa, Rick’s former fiancée, comes back with her husband Victor Laslzo. Rick is still bitter about Elsa leaving him in Paris before the Nazis took over. It then turns out that Laslzo is fighting the Nazis so they need to get to America. Elsa confronts Rick and tells him the truth: she thought Victor was dead and fell in love with him. She only left him when it turned out Laslzo was alive. They are reconciled and decide to send Laslzo to safety while Elsa stays in Casablanca. However, Laslzo tells Rick he should use the papers for Elsa, the police come to arrest him. Can Rick do the right thing? What will he ultimately choose?
This movie is pretty good, is shows a mature view of love; also, note that Elsa only left Rick when she found out that Victor was still alive. Though some viewers will point out that she should have been honest to Rick about being married before, thereby sparing him unnecessary grief. Also, even though Elsa still carries a huge torch for Rick, she still wants to get Victor to safety. Victor also has the same idea, but he wants to send Elsa to safety instead. Interestingly, he knows that Elsa still likes Rick and isn’t very jealous about it. However, Rick is not willing to break up the marriage and wants them both to be happy. He makes a personal sacrifice because he loves Elsa: he tells her to go with Victor. Honolulu romantic drama fans should add this movie to their permanent collection.
More at: Tricia’s Retro Film Reviews
Buy Casablanca at Amazon.com
Comments