The Casablanca Dilemma
Casablanca can be found on almost any top 10 movie list. It is hailed as one of cinema’s greatest treasures. But, does Casablanca apply to today’s social context?
Casablanca tells the tale of Rick, a butt-hurt soldier-for-hire who, when his girl gives him a dear john letter, he runs off to Africa and decides to be a jerk to anyone (and everyone) he meets. One day the girl walks into his bar, and reveals that she needs his help to flee the Nazi’s with her husband, who happens to be the inspirational leader of the resistance against the Nazis. Rick forces the situation so that she has to sleep with him and promise to stay with him for Rick to agree to save her husband. At the end, once he has all the cards in his hands, he “magnanimously” decides to be a decent human being and eventually helps the two escape.
Casablanca is not so simplistic as rendered above; it is quite touching and has classic moments that form the foundation modern movies. The matter at hand is, should we canonize behavior that we would find reprehensible in today’s world?
If your friend’s ex sought their help because the ex was going to be murdered by neo-nazis - and your friend was a dick about it; would you find that behavior acceptable? The real question is, just because someone is sad, angry, or emotionally heightened, does that give then an excuse to be destructive to the point life (and possibly the fate of the world) to be endangered?
In today’s age, where there are mass shootings abound, could there be a connection between these heinous events and immortalizing narrative that excuses reprehensible behavior in the name of hurt feelings?
To be fair, Casablanca is a great movie by any metric. It’s cultural significance is far reaching and its impact to culture is incalculable. At the same time, narrative shapes the way a society thinks, how it creates the context in which people find things acceptable and unacceptable. As members of society, it is our job to consider the type of narrative we consume and to always remember to but it in the proper context.
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You make great points!
"The matter at hand is, should we canonize behavior that we would find reprehensible in today’s world? If your friend’s ex sought their help because the ex was going to be murdered by neo-nazis - and your friend was a dick about it; would you find that behavior acceptable? The real question is, just because someone is sad, angry, or emotionally heightened, does that give then an excuse to be destructive to the point life (and possibly the fate of the world) to be endangered?"
It reminds name a bit of Han Solo who behaves like an absolute jerk but you love him because in the end he comes through. I totally agree they should not be canonized. What is interesting though is they become a counterpoint to noble behavior. It circumscribes the nobility so much more clearly. Maybe, in fiction anyway, we need those characters to show us true goodness and altruism.
But I very much get our point. I am constantly irritated at Calista Flockhart's character in Supergirl. Mega-bitch and then sometimes not bitchy. But then the not bitchy moments get turned into some messed up altruism.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
thank you
To be quite honest, I have never seen what the big deal about Casablanca is. I hate to say it, but I think it's one of the most overrated movies of all time. I understand the historical significance of it and know it was the first movie made about World War II and made during World War II and the script was apparently written as the movie was made.
I wouldn't say Casablanca is the best classic film, but if you're comparing it to the nonsense being made these days starring Ben Stiller or the drivel Adam Sandler is producing for Netflix, then yeah Casabalance is a damn masterpiece comparatively.
Taste in movies is subjective. I am not saying Casablanca is a bad movie, but it is overrated. Many people who list it in their favourite movies ever list are usually just hipsters following the trend of having to "love" classic films because it's the hipster thing to do.
Don't get me started about Donnie Darko...
You better than ever boss @writesbackwards, you are so lovely here boss..