The Casablanca script was brought about in the midst of World War II, and the movie is largly a propaganda film. Rick Blaine is representative of America at the time of WWII. He is a neutral in his politics and is very private about his affairs.
The filmmakers made Humphrey Bogart an ideal American. His development follows a path from uninvolvement to involvement, which the United States government used as a way to create an implicit ideology behind the movie. The movie suggests that even if a person likes to keep to himself/herself, sometimes there is a greater calling for the individual to step up and do the right thing.
In this scene, the filmmakers throw in a very wealthy entrepenuer (Sydney Greenstreet) to ask Humphrey for his Restaurant. Of course, Humphrey says no because in this part it is established that he is not going to get involved with anyone. Sydney says, "In this world today, Isolation is no longer a practical policy." Taken out of context, this exact line applies to someone urging America to go into World War II. The political expediance comes in the filmmakers ability to put all American values into this one character of Rick. After Rick gets involved, the public percieves it as America's duty to get involved. The American agenda is make more accessible through this Hollywood-style, romantic plot.
Michael, I should not be reading this blog because your last name is not in the title. I will give you one more chance. Next time, no name in title, you get a zero because I will not read the blog. There is also no mise en scene analysis.
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