Casablanca - Louis/Rick
There is a common misconception that the film Casablanca is a love story between Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) and Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman). Forget it. Behind the cut you will discover evidence to the contrary...
Introducing the character of Captain Louis Renault (Claude Rains. I love Claude Rains. ;) ). Corrupt Prefect of Police in Casablanca, has best lines in the film. Agreed?
The first piece of evidence that I submit to prove that he is in love with (or at least has a very strong crush on) Rick is this: in every scene he has with Rick, even scenes with Rick and other people, his eyes hardly ever leave Rick's face. He is constantly watching to see what Rick's reactions are going to be; look in the scene just before the Marseillaise scene, where Rick and Laszlo come out of Rick's room (they've been discussing letters of transit, guys. Nothing more.). The Germans are singing their song, and Louis crosses the room and looks straight up at Rick to see what he's going to say. Louis is actually pretty obsessive about Rick in the film, actually.
Then there's the line "If I were a woman and I weren't around, I should be in love with Rick." Or translated: "I am in love with Rick, but due to that damn Hay's code I have to disguise it. Sure, it's not a very good disguise, but if it'll get it past the censors, that's fine with me."
Louis is the only person in the entire film to call Rick Ricky. Even Ilsa calls him Richard. Even Sam calls him Boss, or Mr. Rick. Carl the waiter calls him Herr either Richard or Rick. But no, Louis calls him Ricky. And of course Rick also calls him Louis - not, I might point out, in front of other people, only when they're talking by themselves.
"Captain Renault is getting broad-minded." Totally bitchy line from Rick when Aninna (The sadly late Joy Page) is asking him for help and reveals she has her husband with her. 'Cos Rick is totally not jealous, right?
"Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." Translation "Louis, I have finally realised your unfailing love for me as demonstrated when you didn't let me get arrested for killing Major Strasser. I have realised that this love is reciprocated, so hey, lets forget Ilsa and go off together into the sunset."
And yes, guys. Lets not forget that in the final shot of the entire film RIck and Louis quite literally walk off into the sunset together. With the Marseillaise playing. I mean come on. The last shot of the film is the one which people take away with them and remember - and it involves two men walking off together. Yup, into the sunset. After having got rid of rivals such as Ilsa.
Are you telling me seriously that is not slash?