There is no "fat" in this film. No wasted actions, characters, or words. The plot is moved along as much s by what is said as by what isn't. And I love how confining all these characters in this space and time creates urgency. Turns out it's a place where every character is good at pretending to be passively waiting out their time in Casablanca.

Interesting point, Rashonda. All this tension and subterfuge taking place when in point of fact, everyone is just waiting around. In that regard, it's almost like Casablanca is a kind of purgatory. Escape means heaven. Death means hell.