Casablanca begins with a political map of Africa. The map portrays the upcoming war and directs the line to the neutral French Morocco. This is the setting of the film where rich and lucky people may be able to obtain exit visas. These visas will track them to the new world, however for the meantime they must wait in Casablanca. This will be an unexpected continuation of a love story of the two main characters, Rick and Isla.The story begins in Morocco in December 1941. Two main groups are present within the film, the French and the Germans. Two German couriers are murdered and they were carrying important documentation. The murderers are believed to head to Casablanca and the French have Authority to investigate. A German Nazi commander Major Heinrich Strasser is also willing to assist in the investigation and is greeted by Capitaine Louis Renault.
We are then taken to a high-class club owned by our main character Rick, played by Humphrey Bogart. He is a cynical man who cannot be considered our hero of the play. He is too cold and self indulged. He lets everyone know he will not stick his neck out for anyone. He is still our most admirable character because of his wittiness and inspiring ways. He knows the ropes and is such a cool and slick man throughout the entire movie.The other two main characters now enter the picture. Victor Laszlo, played by Paul Henreid is an escapee from the German concentration camp. He is soon to be entering into Casablanca. He is a Czechoslovakian Resistance leader and a freedom fighter, standing up for his allied country. He is admirable because he puts his life on the line in times of war and is fighting for peace. Rick is affected by the mention of Laszlo making his way to Casablanca. They have bets on whether he will actually make it out of Casablanca. His life is now in danger. Rick is told a mystery lady will be arriving with him. This is where our dramatic love story unfolds. Victor Laszlo arrives with a beautiful woman, Ilsa Lund. Rick and Ilsa have a past. While she is in Ricks bar, she notices Sam, the piano player in Paris. She asks him to play As Time Goes By. He is caught playing it by Rick who strictly reminds him he never wants to hear that song. Rick and Ilsa catch a glimpse of each other and they are taken back to the memories they had together in Paris.
Their memories together were beautiful and Rick feels they are ruined because she is back in his life again. She left him alone so many years ago and Rick thought he would never see her again. Later in the movie, Ilsa trys to explain her sorry past. This was something she could not explain to Rick before. Eventually she is able to tell Rick she was married to Laszlo back in Paris. This was her reasoning for leaving him.The climax of the story occurs in the café where the French and the German anthems are sung. Everyone sings, half for the French and half for the Germans. Only two individuals do not take part in the patriotic choir duel, Rick and Ilsa. Ilsa is mesmerized by the patriotism of Laszlo and Rick is not the patriotic kind.
Ilsa appears to Rick once again. Rick is weary of her because he thinks she is only trying to get the exit visa out of him. She realizes how hurt he was because she had left him and she weeps. She once again falls into his arms. Even though her an Rick were lovers during Paris, she felt the obligation to stay with her husband.
No one knew how the movie would end. There were so many different personalities in the movie, the movie could have gone in either direction. Would Ilsa end up with Rick or would she remain with her husband? The result ended with a transition of personalities. Rick obtained a selfless attitude and knew the best thing for Ilsa was to be on the plane with Laszlo. Ilsa remained steady with her attitudes and once again put her passion to the side and left with her husband. Victor Laszlo did not become jealous or hateful towards Rick, yet he remained in his admirable ways and was grateful toward Rick and let the situation between his wife and him go. We as an audience are left with a fading mist, unaware of where Louis and Rick will go and what they will do with the money. What we do know is that the relationship between Rick and Ilsa is now over but they will always have Paris.