Villavicencio-Casablanca

Set in December 1941 in Casablanca of French-ruled Morocco, the film Casablanca depicts the romantic struggle between an ex-freedom fighting nightclub owner, Rick, and his rediscovered true love, IIsa, who had previously deserted him when the Nazis invaded Paris and later went on to marry someone else. The film also has an underlying reference to American involvement in World War II.

The character of Rick Blaine is complex in that although pessimistic and apathetic—refusing drinks from night club customers, disrespecting his lover Yvonne, and having no interest in politics—he also still reveals a glimmer of the old Rick, a man who was happily in love with IIsa in Paris before she broke his heart. As the film comes to an end, Rick surrenders his reignited love for IIsa, allowing her to escape out of Casablanca with her husband, Louis.

Ricks character can be interpreted as representing the difficulties that arise when one attempts to be neutral, whether it involves a forbidden love or a World War. This relates to the Political Expediency Theory, in which director Michael Curtiz attempts to remain neutral regarding World War II. He used an excess of actors from many different races and a protagonist set on impartiality and detachment (yet who is at times also generous and passionate). In the end however, the main character chooses a side unable retain a complete disregard from the world around him.

The political expediency theory deals with presenting a certain political opinion (or lack there of in this case) in order to please others, rather than staying true to one’s own beliefs and morals.Because this film was released in 1942, the theme of between impossible neutrality parallels to Americas struggle to remain uninvolved in the war.

One important scene where Rick’s neutrality finally falters is when IIsa admits she is still in love with him and they kiss.

Mise en Scene:

Dominant: IIsa would be the dominant in this scene because not only does she take up the majority of the frame, but she also has more lighting casted on her face. She is facing the camera slightly more than Rick is as well.

Subsidiary: Rick would obviously be the next thing a viewer’s eye moves to even thought the background is lighter.  

Lighting: The characters in the scene seem to be somewhat casted in a shadow. The background is more lit than the characters but still dim overall. This would probably be considering low lighting. 

Camera Proxemics: this is an extreme Close-up because only their faces are within the frame. 

Frame: This frame would tight, closing in on their faces with the background out of focus and mostly unidentifiable. 

Angle: The camera seems to be at the same level of their faces so would be considered a straight on shot or eye level. 

Character proxemics: The characters are in an intimate proxemics of each other. 


Casablanca--Internet Movie Database