"I stick my neck out for nobody."

Casablanca is thought to be one of the greatest love stories of all time. After watching this film in class I can confidently say that I agree.
Rick Blaine and Ilsa Lund were both lovers who met in Paris. Although they both had plans to be with each other, Ilsa abruptly left Rick with good reasons. Because of this, Rick is portrayed as a man who is cynical and refuses to help anyone. His only loyalty is to himself. However, that all changes when he meets Ilsa again in Casablanca. Bitter at first, Rick was told why Ilsa had left him. She had a husband, Victor Lazlo, who was believed to be dead but found out that he was actually alive. Ilsa felt that she had a commitment to stay with her husband and therefore had no choice but to leave Rick.
What made me see that this was one of the greatest love stories of all time was the sacrifice that Rick made towards the end of the movie. Normally, when I think about love stories I think about a film that has many intimate scenes and a happy ending where the two lovers are together forever. However, Casablanca is not even close to that. In the end Rick tells Ilsa to escape with Lazlo so that she can have a better life. This shows us that Rick’s love for Ilsa is so strong that he would give her up for her sake even though he may feel miserable without her. I think that’s the strongest element of love in the film. To have the courage and strength of letting someone go.
I really liked Rick’s character. Even though he was portrayed as a man who only looks out for himself, in reality he is a selfless man. Although he said “I stick my neck out for nobody” in the beginning of the film, in the end we see the nobility that he has within himself.
Overall I thought that Casablanca was a great film. I would recommend anyone to see it.