Rick Blaine's character is known for being the typical, classic tough guy who is more to himself and doesn't concern with other peoples problems that don't involve him.
In his very first shots in the film he was seen alone, drinking and playing chess in a room is selective people. When a man tried to join the room and use money to persuade him, Rick didn't care a bit and continued with his own ways. Also, it was known that Rick won't sit and have a drink with any of the costumers. This can be looked at in the perspective that Rick is almost too good forever and he feels no need to attend anyones requests but his own. As the film further developed we saw Rick open up to more people by associating in their personal conflicts and having more sympathy for those in need. For example, when when the girl (who looked up at the plane in the beginning) came and basically begged for money. Rick had a soft stop and helped her even though he didn't need to. Throughout the whole film but specifically in the end, Renault has been constantly making fun of and point out Rick's sensitivity and sentimentality. Specifically when Renault sees Rick completely vulnerable in front of Ilsa as they're saying good bye.
Although Rick managed to maintain a straight face and never exposed himself too much he was still able to express his emotions to us by the actions he took for people and his connection between not only Ilsa but also Sam. The way he treated his works and how his workers respected him shows his character best. Him being a genuine and caring man, regardless of the facade he tried to place by being more isolated and serious most of the time.
Why would Rick feel the need to always maintain this serious persona?
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ReplyDeleteI like your use of the theme take Rick goes from being a shallow, and conceded guy to than showing that he does truly care about people, and is after all a good person. To answer your question, I think Rick would need to keep a serious wall between him and the public because he had tried love and we saw where that got him. Rick may have been afraid to let anyone in because he did that before, and it did not work out. Although as we see in the end of Casablanca Rick does put down that serious barrier and shows his true love for Ilsa, and also helps Ilsa and Laszlo escape without himself on the plane.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your analysis of Rick's persona and character development. Your post made me recall what Rick was like in the beginning, and how his actions later in the movie completely contradicted his initial image. To answer your question at the end, my own personal opinion on the reason behind Rick's "mask" is a sort of shield against the world. He was once cheated and put into a vulnerable position by Ilsa years ago, and making himself seem hard as rock tells others that he will never be put into a vulnerable position again. He himself says that "he never sticks his neck out for anyone." Overall, I felt that I learned something new from your writing and your analysis was great. great job!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis post is very insightful. I believe that the reason Rick let down his facade of being serious and blunt is because seeing Ilsa in his cafe must have put some life back into him that she sucked out when she didn't show up to the train station. Ilsa made Rick have a completely different outlook on like when they were together so I feel like when she came back it put him in that place again. Being around certain people makes you act and think a certain way, and this is the case with Rick and Ilsa. Rick is so tough normally because as Bonya said, he is trying to protect himself from getting emotionally hurt again. But it is as if Ilsa made him a better person by the end, even though the means in which they were together were disloyal to Viktor.
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