Publicity poster, Casablanca (1942). Dir. Michael Curtiz.

I know that Sarah at Art Expedition intends to write about Casablanca for a Film Friday post, and I apologise for my poor form in preempting my hostess. I had in fact written an entirely different post, but it was about a comedy, and I’m not really in the mood for a laugh.

So, Casablanca. A man who’s doing ok in difficult times gives it all up — including the chance to be with the woman he loves — because it’s the right thing to do.

The film’s hero, Rick is complex; a tough-guy with a heart of gold, a man with a past, an American exiled in Europe. A crook. A mercenary. A lover. A man with power over other people’s lives who chooses to use that power to help rather than destroy.

The film was based on an un-produced play,