"They had a date with fate in Casablanca!"
Casablanca - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
Here's looking at you, kid.
— Rick Blaine
Context:
Rick says this line to Ilsa at several key moments, most famously at the airport as he is sending her away with Victor Laszlo. It is his final, loving goodbye.
Meaning:
This iconic line is a tender and personal expression of Rick's enduring love for Ilsa. It's a phrase he uses both in their happy past in Paris and in their final, heartbreaking farewell. The line encapsulates their shared history and the depth of his feelings, making his sacrifice all the more poignant. It is a bittersweet acknowledgment of their past and the future they cannot have together.
We'll always have Paris.
— Rick Blaine
Context:
Rick says this to Ilsa at the airport to comfort her as he explains why she must leave with Victor. He is letting her know that he will never forget their time together.
Meaning:
This quote signifies Rick's acceptance of their situation and his recognition that their past love will always be a cherished memory, even if they cannot have a future together. It's a way of saying that what they shared was real and meaningful and can never be taken away, providing a measure of comfort in their tragic separation.
Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.
— Rick Blaine
Context:
Rick says this to Sam late at night in his café after seeing Ilsa for the first time. He is drunk and overwhelmed by the return of his past love.
Meaning:
This line perfectly captures Rick's shock, bitterness, and sense of cruel fate upon seeing Ilsa again after so many years. It highlights the improbability of their reunion and the emotional turmoil it immediately causes him. The quote conveys his feeling that their meeting is not just a coincidence but a destined and painful event.
Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
— Rick Blaine
Context:
Rick says this to Captain Renault as they walk away into the fog at the airport after Ilsa and Victor's plane has departed and Rick has killed Major Strasser.
Meaning:
This is the film's final line and it signifies a shift in both Rick and Captain Renault's characters. It marks their joint commitment to the fight against the Nazis and their newfound alliance based on shared ideals rather than cynical self-interest. It provides an optimistic and hopeful conclusion to the film, suggesting that new purpose can be found even in the midst of loss and sacrifice.