Satire In Casablanca

In the classic film, Casablanca, the lives of refugees in WWII are on display for the audience, albeit a very romanticized version of it. Rick Blain is a cynical saloon owner who, in a twist of fate, obtains coveted exit visas. Visas that Ilsa Lund, desperately needs to help her resistance leader husband, Victor Laszlo, to escape to America. The only problem being that she is Ricks lost love, who seemingly abandoned him in Paris. Straight from the films beginning we are meant to choose the side of the refuges and liberals. Those groups being the obvious and all too sympathetic choice. This “us versus them” set up is to further contribute to the films influence on the audience. It acts as another artful form of war propaganda. Rather than romanticizing …show more content…
Rick with his previous selfish attitude and Renault with his corruption. Yet these flaws are what make them such memorable and even likable characters. Without them there is no backdrop for their later redemption in the story. As well as them being redeemed in the eyes of the auidience, which is what makes them so inspirational. It is no secret that during the start of WWII America was strictly, something that reflects heavily in Ricks attitude towards others. As he and Renault are speaking and walking through the saloon Renault mentions a special arrest wil be taking place soon. Rick, remembering how earlier Ugarte had entrusted him with the suspicious letters of transite, reacts to this. Renault notices and tells him it is impossible for Ugarte to escape and it would be a waste to warn him, at that Rick exclaims, “I stick my neck out for nobody.” and Renault comments, “Wise foiegn policy.” This conversation obviously is a play on how America’s political stance is viwed by the other countries. In stark contrast to how he is now Renault describes to us a different and less neutral Rick of the past. A Rick who fought against the facists. He dislikes these oppressors and like the audience, sympathisez with the refugees. Renault feels the same dislike despite catering as much as he can towards them in order to keep his position of power. We see a bit of his disapproval of German influence when he first greets Major Strasser. After saluting him he says, “Unoccupied France wlecomes you to Casablanca.” It is a subtle retalistion, his emphasis of how Casablanca is free of the Germans. Though he is supposedly serving the Vichy governemtn we see here that Renault may not agree with Vuchys support of Germany. Rick wants to keep to himself and his business and Renault wants to keep his prestige and power. These selfish flaws make them all the more human when they both finally are redeemed through their sacrafices.