When the young girl returns back to the screen during Casablanca after last being seen in the beginning, we hear about her desperate need to get to America, and the scandalous way she is going to do it. She continuous to describe her incredibly overwhelming love for her husband, and how some things just don’t need to be shared, if they were done to benefit a loved one.
At first, I thought this was symbolizing Ilsa and how in order to spare his feelings, she had to go back to Laszlo without telling him about what had happened while they were apart. However; after seeing the ending of the film I have changed my perspective. Rather than portraying Ilsa, I think that this girl’s story actually inspired Rick to think of his love ahead of himself. In the ending, Rick doesn’t tell Ilsa that she is going with him until the last minute, and I think this was inspired by the girl in the bar. He realizes that Ilsa, and everyone for that matter would end up safe in the end by following his plan, and he knew that that is what would make her happiest.
For what other reason would Rick send his love Ilsa away, if it weren't to have the best outcome?
I can't say what would make Ilsa happiest, after all she did love Rick very much, but I certainly agree with you on the fact that Rick's plan as for everyone's benefit, and in some sense even for his own. Though he certainly loved Ilsa and probably wanted to be on that plane with her, I think it was to his benefit as his person that, as you said, he was able to put his personal feelings aside for his love for Ilsa and her safety.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very insightful post! I think that the reason why Rick sent Ilsa on a plane to America to be with Laszlo is because he knew that although they found the best in each other at one point, he would never be able to forgive her completely for what she put him through. He is satisfied with the thought that she admitted that she always had loved him. Like you said, of course Rick wanted to be on that plane with her, but he was able to put his feelings aside for the sake of Ilsa's safety and happiness.
ReplyDeleteThe moment when the woman from the beginning was talking to Rick was a powerful moment, because it made Rick realize that women love their husbands, and it's difficult for them (emotionally) to stretch between two men. The woman needed visas, but didn't have the money, and she didn't want to sleep with Renault, so Rick performed his first, fully selfless act. Later he allowed Ilsa to go with Laszlo to America because he knew it was the right thing to do.
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