“Casablanca” Is it worth the watch?

I know you’ve been waiting to hear if “Casablanca” is worth the watch. Don’t worry! This is that review. Before the review, you should know a couple of facts about the iconic film. It debuted in 1942 and took home multiple Oscars. SPOILER WARNING!

We follow this guy named Rick. Who is so Gatsby. He has this super cool bar in Casablanca. Casablanca is like a strange purgatory. People can get in, but they can’t seem to get out. Rick doesn’t seem to care about anyone there. In his own words, “I stick my neck out for nobody.” Well… almost nobody. There’s this girl. Ilsa. She had this man WRAPPED around her finger back when he was in Paris. When the Nazis invaded, he was like “Ilsa, let’s get married on the train and start a new life together.” Very romantic. Ilsa was like “Ok. I’ll see you there.” Plot twist. She did not show up at the station. Instead, she showed up at his bar WITH HER HUSBAND. Obviously, Rick is distressed. Ilsa and her husband have to get out of Casablanca and guess who is the only one who can get them out. You’re right. RICK. As if this guy hadn’t already gone through enough. 

Did you know that Peter Lorre who plays Ugarte is also in the movie “M”?! He was great in both movies. Also, he had to flee Europe when the Nazis came to power during World War 2. I am so curious how he felt while filming this movie. In case it wasn’t previously clear, the Nazis are the main antagonists in this movie, and also in “M”. World War 2 wasn’t even over when “Casablanca” came out. Very cool move to make this movie the way they did. Let me make this clear. This is a very political movie. It unapologetically critiques beliefs, systems, governments, and society. I’ll be the first to admit that I underestimated this movie. I relegated it to some old-timey sad love story. I was happily surprised that it was not only that, but we do need to talk about that side of the movie. 

Ilsa, Rick, and Victor. WOW. Who's in the right? Did Ilsa really love Rick? Did she ever love him? Was it all just a fling to her? How does her husband, Victor, feel about all of this? He seemed a little too chill about the whole thing. Right? Or is he just that forgiving? Ilsa. Girl. Breaking up with Rick via letter. Crazy. Rick reading it in the RAIN. Devastating. Victor asking Ilsa if there is anything she wants to tell him, and her saying NO. You’re kidding. What a complicated little trio. Watching their relationship unfold was like watching one of those origami towel animal tutorials. I was captivated watching every single step. 

To focus on Rick and Ilsa for a minute, this movie has the best flashback scene I have ever seen. Watching Rick and Ilsa fall in love from Rick's POV was beautifully haunting. I mean Rick was really in love with her. Ilsa though. I mean I don’t know if this is a hot take, but I don’t know if she ever really loved him. It really seemed like a rebound relationship for her IMO. She thought she just lost her husband. She was fleeing from the Nazis. She was lonely. Rick was there. When she had Sam play that song, I was shook to my core. Rick couldn’t resist the siren song, and I don’t say this often, but poor guy. I mean Rick even dated a girl in Casablanca who looked just like Ilsa. I mean talk about being stuck at the restaurant. When Rick said, “Ask your wife” to Victor. Jaw on the floor. Rick was so over it at that point, but also she thought her husband was dead. I do think it is uncool of her to not explain why she left, but also how could she. When was the time? I don’t know. Maybe that’s one of the charms of this movie. You could probably talk to your friends for at least a couple of hours trying to break down who is in the wrong. Is it Ilsa or Rick? 

I will say one thing: Rick did the right thing sending her on that plane. The exchange reminded me of that scene in “Little Women” between Jo and Laurie. They never would’ve worked. Rick wasn’t who he was when he last saw Ilsa, and I don’t think Rick ever really knew Ilsa. The short time they had in Paris was all they were supposed to have. Sometimes, love stories aren’t forever. Sometimes, there are bigger things at play. Ok, this review may seem like I’m going to say, “YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS MOVIE RIGHT NOW! YOU’RE MISSING OUT!!!!!!!” I’m not. I think this movie is great, but I would give it a meh rating. When you can’t figure out what to watch, and you want to watch a movie with depth and meaning. Grab this one. Be ready to pay attention. I wouldn’t say this movie is a casual watch, but I would say it is worth your time. Happy watching! 

Photo from IMDb