Barkley, Casablanca

The scene at the end where Rick helps Victor and Ilsa escape is a great representation of the Political Expediency Theory that is depicted throughout Casablanca. At the beginning of the film Rick is viewed as neutral in terms of the war. As the film progresses, Rick begins to change his political views as he begins to play a more active role in the events that surround him. Then, at the end Rick's views have completely changed against the Germans as he now believes that they are the bad guys. So we see Rick take a character arc throughout the film as his political views slowly change as the film progresses.

As Rick's political views change, so does Casablanca's lighting. The film begins with Rick seen as neutral in terms of the war. While Rick's views are neutral, everything in Casablanca is very bright, almost too bright, and everything is white. However as the film progresses, Rick slowly changes his political views and as this happens the lighting becomes darker and by the end of the film he see's the German's as the enemy. At the very end of the film, Rick proceeds to shoot a German officer to ensure Victor and Ilsa's getaway.

The scene at the end where Rick helps Victor and Ilsa escape is very dark and all there is to see in the background is fog. This represents the ominous ending in the film.