Out of the picture
I watched Casablanca today, bought the dvd with Japanese subs for 500 yen. I remembered watching it when I was much younger. And just now it was brilliant, as I was old enough to be able to understand what they're saying, the emotions and feelings that they wanted to portray. At first I thought I'd be sad because of the ending, when the hero didn't get to be with the heroin. But, somehow I wasn't. I wasn't sad because they weren't meant to be together, I'm content because the love that they had for each other still lives despite the outcome. Yes, the hopeless romantic in me is in full swing.
Rick: Last night we said a great many things. You said I was to do the thinking for both of us. Well, I've done a lot of it since then, and it all adds up to one thing: you're getting on that plane with Victor where you belong.Casablanca (1942)
Ilsa: But, Richard, no, I... I...
Rick: Now, you've got to listen to me! You have any idea what you'd have to look forward to if you stayed here? Nine chances out of ten, we'd both wind up in a concentration camp. Isn't that true, Louie?
Captain Renault: I'm afraid Major Strasser would insist.
Ilsa: You're saying this only to make me go.
Rick: I'm saying it because it's true. Inside of us, we both know you belong with Victor. You're part of his work, the thing that keeps him going. If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with him, you'll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.
Ilsa: But what about us?
Rick: We'll always have Paris. We didn't have, we, we lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night.
Ilsa: When I said I would never leave you.
Rick: And you never will. But I've got a job to do, too. Where I'm going, you can't follow. What I've got to do, you can't be any part of. Ilsa, I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. Someday you'll understand that. Now, now... Here's looking at you kid.
You see, what I like about Rick is the fact that he was willing to let go of the one he loves 'completely'. No calls, no mails, no sms. They both knew that they won't see each other ever again and even if they will, they will not be together. Smart move since there is no point in being with each other when you can't be together.
Rick and Ilsa are not friends, they are lovers. They were in love, it was passionate and deep. There's no denying that their relationship formed on the basis of romance and attraction. Funny thing is, Ilsa unknowingly cheated on her husband whom she thought was dead and so technically Rick was her rebound, I'm afraid. But they had a marvelous time when they were together. Even if it was short, maybe around 3 months. Circumstances forced separation and perhaps it was for the good of everyone.
At first, Rick was bitter. He didn't actually know the reason behind Ilsa's abrupt change of mind (She found out that he husband was still alive). He thought she didn't love him, that their love was fake. But when she came back into his life and rekindled the feelings that they had once shared, he knew what he was supposed to do. He loves her, but he can't be with her. Therefore, he must set her free. Things haven't changed, they still have those good memories and it was enough.
The thing to remember is that it's easier to get on with your life assuming that the one you once loved is happy wherever he or she is. And you are free from being tied up to your feelings. It sure puts a smile on my face knowing that life goes on as you get over minor difficulties.
Mark and I, attempting to force a smile
