Casablanca
is not considered a film noir movie, but it has many elements of film noir.
Some of the specific film noir elements I noticed were: a disillusioned main
character with a heart of gold underneath, scenes were often filmed indoors with
circling smoke and claustrophobic atmospheres, lighting was most often low-key,
depth of field was commonly used, and a significant flashback was in the movie.
The article on film noir mentioned many different things that identify a film
noir movie and these are some of the connections that stuck out to me from the
description in the article.
I
think that this movie did a great job preparing people for the war to come, and
paving the path for future film noir films. World War II was just starting as
this movie was being filmed, and no one really knew what was in store for the
world. This film does not start off seeming like it is going to be a patriotic
film, but it is definitely patriotic. Throughout the first half of the movie, Rick said “I stick my neck out for
no one” a few times, but in the end, he risked his own life to help a man lead
people against the Nazi’s. I am sure it took Rick a lot of courage, and as I
mentioned previously, a heart of gold to put his life in danger to save Laslow
and Ilsa. The severity of how bad WWII was not known when the film was
released, so to see Rick go up against the Nazi’s was probably a sign of hope
for people as the war got worse and worse. Courage was essential for the war,
and Rick was a pillar for courage in this movie.
Even
though Casablanca is not technically a film noir film, most of the
photographical elements are present. There is not as much darkness in this film
as in most film noir films simply because Ilsa does not destroy Rick, it seems
as though she did when she left him in Paris, but we find out that she truly
believed her husband was dead when she was in love with Rick. Overall, film
noir was implemented after WWII and it took advantage of the pessimistic and
suspicious feelings running rampant after the war. This movie has stylistic
choices of a film noir film, but it has a positive undertone once the movie
ends. The viewer understands why Ilsa broke Rick’s heart, and he or she
commends Rick’s courage.
Rick
said he was a “drunkard” when asked his nationality, and he clearly did not
think anyone was better than him. Rick’s attitude is one many people probably
wanted for themselves during the war. Rick is seen as a cool, confident guy
whom all the women fall for.
Furthermore, moviegoers can relate to Ilsa and Rick’s complicated
situation because daily life is usually more complicated than we first perceive
it to be. The heartbreak Rick felt is also something people will be able to
relate to.
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