Casablanca Character Analysis

The movie opens with a short news reel showing the importance of Casablanca on the steps to America. This movie takes place during the time of world war two, so all the people in Casablanca are trying to get out. After the brief newsreel, the director uses a very intriguing way of showing the audience the main character, Rick. Everyone is talking about him, describing him, but we never actually see him. Just from these first few descriptions of Rick, we can tell he is self-centered and does not interact much with others. This is demonstrated by a quote by Captain Renault, saying Rick does not drink with anybody. The actor then states that he is the second largest bank owner in Casablanca. In, a humorous response, Captain Renault states

the number one is the chef. Michael Curtiz, the director of Casablanca, keeps this technique going as we don’t see Rick until the very end of the opening scene.
Eventually, Rick is finally unveiled.

This is done by using a series of three shots. The first is of his hand signing a paper, just showing his signature. The camera zooms in on another object, then finally, we get to see Rick’s face. This is a technique that is unique to Casablanca. Many have tried to copy this scene, but no one has come close to the way in which Michael Curtis did it.
The next line that shows the evolution of Rick’s character is when he is meeting with Ugarte. Ugarte tells Rick that he has killed two men for letters of transit. This scene is clearing showing Ugarte trying to impress Rick. Ugarte states, “Are you impressed now Rick?” This is a common theme of the movie, as everyone is trying to impress Rick. After Ugarte gets arrested for stealing the letters, and is screaming back at Rick, Rick states, “I stick my neck out for nobody.” This showing he doesn’t care or have compassion for others, and only cares about

himself.
As soon as Ilsa walks into Rick’s cafe, Rick seems to change.

He breaks multiple precedents immediately. One of them being sitting and drinking with customers. You can tell that the two of them have a history just by the way they greet each other. He seems to have gained some compassion. Ilsa asks Sam to play “As Time Goes By” which brings about a flashback of Rick and Ilsa in Paris. Throughout this flashback, the iconic line, “Here’s looking at you kid,” is stated multiple times by Rick to Ilsa. Towards the end of the flashback, Ilsa leaves Rick a note saying she can’t go with him. In my opinion, this is where Rick’s compassion is crushed. After this, he is a changed person.
After Ilsa leaves, Rick believes she will come back, as he waits in the bar upset. Sam waits with him. It is in this moment that one of the most famous movie lines in movie history is said. “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.” This is referring to his disappointment of her walking into his cafe, and re-entering his life. This is the same night that he says, “Play it Sam. You played it for her you can play it for me!” Rick is clearly changed by

Ilsa.
Throughout the film, we learn more about Rick’s history of fighting for the underdog. For example, he ran guns to refuges. When asked why, he said for the money. But the winning side would’ve gave him more money. This interaction makes it clear Rick does care; or, at least he did care at some point.
At the end of the movie, a historic series of events happens. First, Rick helps Victor Laslow get the letters of transit by pulling a gun on Captain Renault. Then, he send Laslow and Ilsa go away together, although Ilsa stated she would never leave Rick again. Rick did the thinking for both of them and decided her going with Laslow was the best decision. Then, Rick kills Major Strasser. Captain Renault saw it all, yet he told he associates to “Round up the usual suspects.” Then, Rick and Captain Renault walk away as Rick says, “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” This scene demonstrates how much Rick has changed. He goes from sticking his neck out for nobody, to helping one of the most wanted people in the world get to his next step on the way to America.
In conclusion, Rick’s character went through a dramatic change from the start of the film to the end. He went from a self-centered guy to a generous guy. Most of this change occurs because of Ilsa. Rick’s character has one of the most interesting character arcs in history.