Friday No. 2: Casablanca

The way I feel about so many love stories is the way I felt about the popular couples in High School-  infatuated teenagers too lost in themselves to care about anything else, unable to resist the easy thrills  of Boy-Meets-Girl and helpless to escape the trap of of You-And-Me-Against-The-World (or more appropriately, You-And-Me-Forget-The-World).

And so, approaching Casablanca-whose reputation precedes itself as the granddaddy, so to speak, of all romantic Hollywood films- felt like approaching the Prom King and Queen.

But, I was happily surprised-- by its political idealism, relevance and yes, even its romance.

Set in the Moroccan crossroads of Europe and America, in the time of the Nazi regime and in the middle of the ensuing European exodus, the film roots itself firmly in the harsh realities of its time, with memories of happier times and romance only serving to torture the now jaded protagonist Rick. The tension begins when the woman from his past, Ilsa, fatefully arrives in his cafe with her husband Victor, an important leader of the Resistance. Like so many in Casablanca, they are trying to escape into America and as fate would have it, two Exit Visas find their way into Rick's hands. Ilsa first tries to get the Visas for her husband and herself, but inevitably falls back into Rick's arms, leaving him to decide what to do.

 It is in this state of affairs that the film ignites the key conflict between our own idyllic view of love, our own "moment in Paris" and its unsavory complications, that, just like the port of Casablanca, we so desperately try to escape.

Then, the film's stroke of brilliance comes, as Rick decides to ensure Ilsa's safety by letting her leave with Victor, uttering the iconic "We'll always have Paris", and consequently ensuring the future of the Resistance against the Nazi regime.

In the end, I think what makes this film great, is that while it delivers the usual trappings of Old Hollywood glamour along with some gender stereotypes and cliches, it still manages to graduate from the thrill of the first kiss and it matures into that moment that you realize that love isn't about holding onto illusory notions of happiness, that Love is bigger than yourself and your feelings, and that it is indeed, sacrifice--- something that too many romantic films, and romantic people, forget.

       Frank Sinatra's version of the film's iconic theme - As Time Goes By