Guillaume Williams

Overcoming Individualism In The Midst Of War

Having entered the War (WWII) the year before, the United States was mobilizing
forces to get the nation on board and doing what it could to get the people of the United
States behind the war effort on many fronts. Many Hollywood movies were made about
the war and they were not just for entertainment. They were made to help the war effort.
One such movie was Casablanca.
I believe one of the main messages of the movie or motivations of it was to move
Americans who are known for their rugged individualism into subjecting their own needs
and desires for the needs of their country. In order to bring this point in the movie we
have several characters who at times represent different countries or the people of those
countries. It is all told in a love story involving several people who were or are in love
and whose love was lost but then regained but in a new way. We also have a story of
people involved in the war because of their choices or their circumstance and what they
are doing about it.
People in Europe sought refuge in America during the war and they traveled to
Casablanca and from there to Lisbon where they could go to American. We start off with
the murder of a couple of German couriers who are murdered for letters of transit and the
rounding up of the usual suspects. We are confronted with the sign Liberte, Eqalite
Franternite over the police headquarters. Ironic for a city under the influence of the
Nazis. A man is killed who belongs to the French resistance. A plane lands which will be
flying to Lisbon, to freedom. It is carrying German to Casablanca.

In the midst of this is Ricks Caf Americain where the story focuses our
attention. Like America it is a refuge for people of many countries who are seeking to get
to America. We are introduced to Rick, the rugged individualist American.
I stick my neck out for nobody.--Rick A wise foreign policy.Louie The
story is set Victor Laslow is introduced and his desire to get to America. A bet is set
between the two of them. Louies assessment of Rick, a sentimentalist. He has often
helped the underdog. While Louie crows about his independence he is summoned by the
Gestapo. I stick my neck out for nobody, says Rick as Bugotti is arrested.
Rick is a citizen of the world. He is completely neutral on everything,
supposedly.
Laslow and Isa show up. Isa figures out her old lover Rick owns the place and
remembers her past with him. She still have feelings for him though she is with Laslow.
Rick and Isa are reunited. Rick breaks precedent to have a drink with Laslow and Isa.
Rick becomes human in the presence of Isa and pays the bill, another precedent broken.
Circumstance breaks up Ricks current individualism as his old love is brought back into
his life.
Circumstance or luck plays a part in this movie. The casino in the caf, the song
of being unlucky knock on wood, Bugottis bad luck and the appearance of Isa all fall
into happenstance. We are let in on why Rick is the way he is in Casablanca. He was in
love and his heart was broken. He is left alone at the train station with his heart broken.
Isa comes to Rick in the dead of the night. A bright spot in the darkness. Rick
hardens himself to her because of what she represents to him, his heartbreak. The reality

of Casablanca is brought home when Bugottis death is debated whether or not he

committed suicide or was killed trying to escape.
There is a young couple who is at the beginning of the movie, at Ricks, coming
to Louie (Renault) at the station, they are seeking a visa to go to America. Laslow and
Isa begin their quest to find the visas but the doors are closed. They can get one visa but
not two but not for Laslow. They find out the visas they need are at Ricks. The wife of
the young couple enlightens Rick as to what love is again. She tells him what she would
be willing to do to get the visa for her husbands happiness, which would involve
sleeping with Louie. It breaks Ricks heart. We are turned to the casino where we see
luck isnt always luck. Sometimes luck is fixed. Her husband is just a lucky guy. Rick
demonstrates his sentimentality. However Rick will not sell the letters of transit. His
sentimentality only goes so far.
In the midst of Ricks Americain Caf a singing battle between the Germans and
unoccupied France let by Laslow takes place with France winning. The captain of his
own fate, Renault obeys the voice of the Gestapo and closes the casino.
When Isa is alone she goes to Rick to get the letters of transit. As long as he has
those letters he never has to be alone. Rick asserts his individuality. He is only thinking
of himself and Isa says so. She doesnt do a good job of seducing Rick for the letters so
she threatens him with a gun. But she cannot do it. Her tears break Rick down and Rick
listens to her story. Shell stay with him if he gives Laslow a letter. Isa doesnt know
what to do so she puts everything in Ricks hands. Hell have to think for her and
everyone. Rick takes up the charge.

Destiny, luck is brought up. Laslow directs Rick to pick up his destiny. He wants
Rick to at least give his wife the letters show she can leave. Laslow is arrested and Rick
goes to help him out. He arranges with Louie to have Laslow released to have him
supposedly framed for the murder of the two Germans but Rick double crosses everyone,
Laslow, Isa and Louie. Louie crossed Rick by calling the Gestapo. Rick forgets about
himself and thinks about the greater good. He puts Laslow and Isa on the plane. The
problems of three little people dont amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world, Rick
says. Laslow welcomes Rick back to the fight. Rick gives up Isa. Isa gives up Rick.
Rick is a sentimentalist. Louie who had been neutral also joins the fight. They both
become patriots as Louie throws away a bottle of Vichy water.
They make plans to go to a free French garrison to disappear from Casablanca for
a while.