Casablanca is a very well done film for
the time frame and budget it was on. The movie and technology used may seem
dated, but it was the technique and actors who had given the movie such great
honor. As Roger Ebert mentioned, Casablanca
was not supposed to be a great film, just another Warner Bros. production.
However it’s clear that the movie had made it well above and beyond
expectations putting it up there with one of the best movies of all time. One
of the many reasons is that many American’s did not realize the magnitude of
people who were refugees, and Casablanca brought that closer to home via visual
effects. Plus, the film would most likely boost the people’s morale.
Casablanca’s
content has what people look for in a movie or novel. A list of these items
would look like this: A bit of action, a terrific cast of characters, romance,
drama, and subtle humor. Casablanca is home to many refugees and criminals
hiding out, using the underground and black market to make their way to America
which covers our plot and character bit. This setting allows for shadowy, dark
characters as well as the hopeful and optimistic characters. Rick, our main
character, is a neutral character and he makes this very evident in the beginning
when he says, “I don’t stick my neck out for no one.” However, as the film goes
on it reveals that he had fought for the underdog before. Changes in Rick’s
character were evident when he started to break his own rules such as drinking
with a customer. It was a very interesting development.
“I don’t buy or sell
human beings”
There is a
subtle, almost cynical humor involved in Casablanca, which I wouldn’t have
thought was a style until the more modern aspects of film and television.
However, I seem to be horribly mistaken, as Casablanca features many cynical
yet comedic lines that somehow do lighten the mood. A few examples would be in
the airport scene when Rick threatens to shoot Louis in the heart, and he
replies, “That’s my least vulnerable spot.” Or, perhaps we could recall when
Rick was asked his nationality and replied with, “Drunkard.”
The
technique used was evident if you’re aware of that sort of thing. A lot of
medium shots were used during the couple scenes. There were also the close-ups
of the characters to show the intensity and emotion of a particular situation. The
lightning majorly used seemed to be low key as well, after all this is taking
place during an underground movement with many shadowy characters.
All-in-all,
the film took place during the beginning of World War II, and no one really
knew where the war was turning. Casablanca
was created, and no one knew what the movies potential was either. It would
give Americans a better understanding that there were refugees stranded across
the world while the German occupation spread. In the end of Casablanca, we have
Rick shooting Strasser and letting Ilsa and Victor leave the airport. This is
considered a heroic and sacrificial act. Rick let his love go and set himself up for murder
charges. However, Louis tells his men to “round up the usual suspects.” The
film pans out and shows Rick and Louis walking down the runway with the last comment
that, “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” Thus, the
movie ends with an upbeat tone and optimistic outlook for all parties involved.
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