Casablanca was one of the first to subvert the romance drama with its sad but hopeful ending, disrupting the standard "happy ending" audiences were used to. While this is one way the movie could be perceived, I believe that a true understanding of the film lies in a re-contextualization of the roles usually found in a romance movie of the time. If we think about it this way, you will find that the characters still fit in neatly to the structure of a romance movie. Who's the one who slowly goes from an uneasy relationship with Rick to a closer and eventually, positive and trustful relationship? That's right baby it's Laszlo and they're gay as ♥♥♥♥ for each other. Who's with our main character at the end of the film? Laszlo. Who can Rick truly trust and rely on at the end of the film? Laszlo. You COULD NOT convince me that this isn't the case because I'm NOT going to listen to you.