Plot Summary
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Directed by Michael Curtiz.
1942, Warner Brothers, 102 min.
Rick Blaine.................Humphrey Bogart
Ilsa Lund....................Ingrid Bergman
Victor Laszlo...............Paul Henreid
Sam..........................Dooley Wilson
Captain Louis Renault.....Claude Rains
Major Heinrich Strasser...Conrad Veidt
Senor Ferrari...............Sydney Greenstreet
Peter Lorre..................Ugarte
Carl, the Headwaiter.......S.Z. Sakall
Sascha.......................Leonid Kinskey
Berger.......................John Qualen
Yvonne......................Madeleine LeBeau
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Plot Summary
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Throughout the first half of the movie, Ilsa Lund epitomizes the subtle strength and power possible in a woman who holds all the cards. Her power acts as a catalyst in moving the action and outcomes of the story forward. Her inner agenda allows the outcome to result in her favor.
We see her power visually in the forms of light, shadow and wardrobe intermingled with the darkness she seems to emerge from. When she first appears in the movie, she enters Rick's Cafe with her husband Laszlo, and seems to illuminate the room with her white formal suit and her glowing visage. Although her eyes dart about uncertainly and innocently, her effect upon others is unmistakable and potent. (Rebecca)
But note, too, that her centrality is defined in relation to men. Here is how Emily sees Ilsa's entrance:
Ilsa strolls into Rick's Cafe with Victor Laszlo, unsuspecting. First, the heads of the men in the cafe turn to gaze upon her, the stunning beauty in white. Then Sam notices her entering, and shakes his head in dismay. Finally, Rick looks across the room, sees Ilsa and the music heightens as he rushes to her.
At the end of the movie, who controls the action?
Emily: In her article, "'Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema," Laura Mulvey concluded that a "man's role is the active one of forwarding the story, making things happen. Women's role . . . is as spectacle, to-be-looked-at." This statement holds much truth with Casablanca. One is asked to sympathize with Rick: he suffers terribly over Ilsa's love that is forbidden to him now. Although Ilsa shares these same feelings for Rick, it is only he that moves the story line. Ilsa confronts Rick in his drunkenness but shies way when he responds harshly. They speak in the marketplace but he directs the conversation. Ilsa resorts, at last, to begging Rick to decide her fate for her. Should she stay with him, her true love, or go with Victor, who is devoted to her and to whom she deeply respects? This is the test of Rick's character.
But, says Rebecca: Ilsa resists the force (symbolized in the form of Rick) that would limit her to being a jewel without a past by using her strategic moves and various powers to effect the desired "ending" for herself and Laszlo. In the final scene, her power is evident and solidified by the successful end, securing the letters of transit when all others before her have failed. Although she is teary eyed at having to say goodbye to her former lover, when the time comes to march toward the airplane with her husband, Laszlo, she turns to Rick and says, "God Bless You." With this final statement, the viewer can be sure that Ilsa is grateful that the story's ending has gone according to her original plan.
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Some great Casablanca sites to check out
Vincent's Casablanca Homepage.
The Official Humphrey Bogart Site
Ingrid Bergman, Goddess of Film
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