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  • Essay / The real villains of Casablanca

    Rick is far from being the most detestable character in Casablanca. Although he demonstrates certain qualities and actions that might suggest he is loathsome, he should not be confused with his cowardly counterparts. His tireless charade at the beginning of Casablanca can give the wrong impression, as he appears cynical and distant, detached not only from others but from the traumatic events occurring around him. This changes quickly as the film progresses and his strong moral compass shines through in his good deeds, proving that he is a sentimentalist at heart. This is not the case for some other characters as their weak and unscrupulous ways become evident, making Rick seem almost angelic in comparison. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Rick's actions towards the poor Bulgarian couple are telling. When he sees them desperate to escape the uncertainty in Casablanca, he is at first hesitant to help them. His idealistic side soon wins and he allows his husband to win at roulette, thus saving him from the fearful grip of the city. Surely a horrible person wouldn't have turned around as quickly and easily as Rick did and this act disproved his earlier statement that he "(went) his neck for no one". Additionally, in the flashback to Paris, we see his gentle and loving side as he and Ilsa fall for each other in a flurry of romance. The man from Paris had kind, sparkling eyes and was relaxed and happy; the flashback shows that he has the ability to love and be loved. And of course, at the end of the film, he commits a selfless and noble act, putting aside his feelings for Ilsa and helping Laszlo escape and continue his heroic fight for freedom. Louis is perhaps the most complex character in Casablanca and constantly blurs the lines between good and evil. His expedient methods make it clear that he is not a man of high morals; However, small clues in the film and his role in the final scene show that there is more to Louis than meets the eye. His actions make it clear from the start that he is observant and curious, as his eyes miss nothing and he leans in to hear Rick's opinions. The way he sits in his chair almost casually and limply greets his fellow soldiers of Vichy France shows his casualness and deceptive carelessness in the events. He willingly follows the prevailing wind and arrests Ugarte on orders, but clearly sees this as an opportunity to impress and raise his status among the officers. He closed Rick's Café under the pretext that gambling was no longer allowed, but he happily collected his winnings on the way out. So we can certainly say that Louis is self-centered and indulgent in his every desire. On the other hand, Rick clearly sees the good side of this character from the start, and when he didn't join in during the German national anthem, a crucial point in the film, it became clear that Louis wouldn't was not fully committed to the Nazis. His final act of aiding Rick in his plight to help Laszlo escape despite the ramifications on Louis himself is evidence that can be just as admirable as he can be corrupted. Overall, his noble actions outweigh his selfish crimes. Ilsa may not be an overtly unlikeable character, but perhaps her hesitant and frustrating complacency makes her even more unlikeable than Louis and Rick combined. She may be doing the right thing in Paris when she goes to find Laszlo, who clearly needed help more than Rick, but in Casablanca she's nothing more than an inconvenience..