CASABLANCA (1942): The Thematic Argument
- Phil Parker
- Apr 25
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 27
Make your story stronger by understanding the thematic argument in Casablanca!
CASABLANCA: Love, Sacrifice, and All Those Gin Joints!
Casablanca isn't just famous for Humphrey Bogart’s fedora or that "play it again" misquote. It’s legendary because it knows exactly what it’s arguing about. Before you write your next masterpiece, make sure you know your thematic argument. It’ll keep your characters consistent, your story focused, and your audience hooked!
Not exactly sure what a thematic argument is? Read my blog Thematic Arguments in Movies first, and then come back for some fun at Rick's Cafe Americain!
At its heart, Casablanca wrestles with a simple yet powerful idea:
"True happiness comes from sacrificing personal gain for a greater good."
Now, some characters in Casablanca would agree with that statement, while others would disagree. That's why it's known as a thematic argument. Each character has a way of looking at the world based on which side of the argument they stand. These opposing, competing, or complimentary views act as fuel for the film’s dramatic tension.
Let's look at each character's POV of the thematic argument, how it assists the main character's arc, and how it acts as the maypole that ties all the elements of the movie together.
CASABLANCA: Character POVs (or Who Sacrifices What ...and Why?)
Rick Blaine isn't just a cynic. Beneath his aloof exterior, Rick also demonstrates quiet decency. A reflection of the person he used to be before Ilsa broke his heart. His true arc is overcoming the bitterness of betrayal (a selfish indulgence) and sacrificing his love for her so she can help Laszlo fight fascism. (Hero: Initially Reluctant, ultimately embracing sacrifice; "Here's looking at you, kid.")
Ilsa Lund embodies the internal conflict between love and duty. Torn between Rick and her husband Victor Laszlo, Ilsa ultimately accepts the necessity of personal sacrifice, choosing a cause greater than personal romance. (Shapeshifter: Her conflicting loyalties drive emotional tension and moral decisions.)
Victor Laszlo is the Casablanca’s unwavering moral compass. Dedicated entirely to the greater good, he inspires others, including Rick, to remember their better selves and choose ideals over personal desires. (Mentor: Inspires and guides the protagonist toward moral clarity.)
Captain Renault begins as a charming cynic, always looking out for himself. But Rick’s ultimate sacrifice pushes Renault towards redemption, inspiring him to finally choose a moral path. (Threshold Guardian turned Ally: Represents moral ambiguity shifting toward clarity.)
Major Strasser is the face of ruthless authority, representing absolute self-interest and power. He sacrifices nothing, his rigid loyalty to the Nazi regime underscoring the moral bankruptcy of pure self-interest. (Shadow: Embodies opposition and threat, forcing moral choices.)
Signor Ferrari is the pragmatic opportunist of Casablanca who carefully navigates neutrality. Yet even Ferrari subtly chooses sides, reflecting the film's theme by eventually aiding the resistance in minor but meaningful ways. (Trickster: Highlights moral ambiguity through pragmatic neutrality.)
Ugarte initially seems purely self-interested, profiting off desperation and war. However, his willingness to risk (and ultimately lose) his life handling transit papers indirectly kickstarts Rick’s journey in Casablanca toward moral awakening. (Herald: His actions announce the trouble to come and set Rick’s transformative journey into motion.)
Carl, the friendly waiter, represents quiet decency and everyday kindness. His consistent moral goodness, while less dramatic, reinforces the importance of integrity and small acts of compassion amidst larger moral struggles. (Hero's ally.)
Sam remains loyal to Rick out of friendship rather than ideology, symbolizing personal loyalty and friendship as equally valuable sacrifices in difficult times. (Hero's ally.)
How These Choices Shape Rick
Rick’s transformation in Casablanca isn't about finding morality (he had it all along) but about overcoming emotional wounds. The various characters around him, from Laszlo’s inspiring integrity to Ugarte’s desperate gamble, Renault’s moral awakening, and even Carl’s gentle decency, collectively remind Rick of who he truly is and help him re-embrace his underlying moral beliefs.
The Metaphor Behind Casablanca's Curtain
Rick’s Café represents the seductive illusion of neutrality, a place where morality is temporarily suspended. Rick stepping outside his café symbolizes abandoning moral ambivalence, taking decisive action, and embracing sacrifice for a greater cause.
At its core, Casablanca endures because it nails this thematic argument. It says love is important, sure, but standing for something greater, even at the cost of personal gain, is the what leads to true happiness.
Write boldly. Make your characters choose between their hearts and their principles. Make them struggle, sacrifice, and then, maybe, just maybe, they'll become unforgettable.
Writers: Philip G. Epstein, Julius J. Epstein, Howard Koch
Logline: "When a cynical, brokenhearted café owner comes face to face with his ex-lover, he must overcome his feelings of betrayal and help her and her freedom-fighting husband escape before they're captured by the Nazis."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
American-Aussie screenwriter Phil Parker loves writing stories filled with adventure and thrills. His screenwriting assignments include CATSAWAY (bought by Image Nation Abu Dhabi), FORTE (which earned a six-figure investment based on his first draft), FLY GIRLS (BAFTA-winning producer attached), and KINDRED (multiple shopping agreements signed). Phil also wrote WWII spec script, THE THIRD BOMB, which was optioned twice and helped launch his screenwriting career. Phil just finished writing SILENT WINDS for Idunoba Pictures, a historical adventure inspired by true events. And one of Phil's favorite films is, of course, Casablanca!
