Probably a dozen times -- that's how many I've watched Casablanca. Yes, it's a man's movie. As such, it's very simple. (My late wife never liked it -- she saw tragedy in the separation of Rick and Ilsa.) I see triumph of a man's integrity over his impulses. Cowen is wrong, wrong, wrong. Regarding Roman Holiday (again. probably a dozen ti…
Probably a dozen times -- that's how many I've watched Casablanca. Yes, it's a man's movie. As such, it's very simple. (My late wife never liked it -- she saw tragedy in the separation of Rick and Ilsa.) I see triumph of a man's integrity over his impulses. Cowen is wrong, wrong, wrong. Regarding Roman Holiday (again. probably a dozen times), reporter Joe (common everyday name) is, along with Ann, also heroic. He could have tried to persuade her to stay with him. He found an integrity in himself that overcame those desires. Even photographer Irving is a bit of hero; he could have made a nice bit of change from the photos, but he gave them up to her.
"I see triumph of a man's integrity over his impulses."
I actually don't see it that way. Rick is absolute right. If Ilsa doesn't get on that plane with Victor, she'll regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But soon, and forever.
It's because he loves Ilsa so much that he won't let her stay in Casablanca with him. (Because there's a 90 percent chance they'd both end up in a concentration camp...isn't that right, Louis? "I'm afraid Major Strasser would insist.")
And he won't leave with her and leave Victor alone in Casablanca, because Victor would be killed, and Ilsa and Rick would both regret it for the rest of their lives.
So it isn't the triumph of integrity over impulses. It's the triumph of love and clear thinking over thoughtlessness.
Probably a dozen times -- that's how many I've watched Casablanca. Yes, it's a man's movie. As such, it's very simple. (My late wife never liked it -- she saw tragedy in the separation of Rick and Ilsa.) I see triumph of a man's integrity over his impulses. Cowen is wrong, wrong, wrong. Regarding Roman Holiday (again. probably a dozen times), reporter Joe (common everyday name) is, along with Ann, also heroic. He could have tried to persuade her to stay with him. He found an integrity in himself that overcame those desires. Even photographer Irving is a bit of hero; he could have made a nice bit of change from the photos, but he gave them up to her.
"I see triumph of a man's integrity over his impulses."
I actually don't see it that way. Rick is absolute right. If Ilsa doesn't get on that plane with Victor, she'll regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But soon, and forever.
It's because he loves Ilsa so much that he won't let her stay in Casablanca with him. (Because there's a 90 percent chance they'd both end up in a concentration camp...isn't that right, Louis? "I'm afraid Major Strasser would insist.")
And he won't leave with her and leave Victor alone in Casablanca, because Victor would be killed, and Ilsa and Rick would both regret it for the rest of their lives.
So it isn't the triumph of integrity over impulses. It's the triumph of love and clear thinking over thoughtlessness.
His integrity does not deny his love for her. I'm not sure I'm in that much disagreement with you.