Mathey, Political Expediency in Casablanca

Casablanca was a really good movie with very deep meanings that would have an impact on its audience. My favorite scene was probably the one when everyone in the bar sings aloud the Marseillaise in order to be overheard against the germans. It was very emotional to me because I am French and it made me felt patriotic. My grandfather fought in World War II and was in the Free French Forces. That might explain why I lovedthis movie so much. However, this movie does not portray France in this case but the choice that the United States made to get involved in the war. The director showed us this through the character of Rick Blaine who can be described as a lone wolf living in isolation from a world that once deceived him. Rick has everything he desires. He owns one of the nicest clubs of Casablanca however, Rick is confused all along the movie and has to choose between getting involved with the problems of his long lost love Ilsa or staying away from it and go back to his normal boring life. I chose to this picture because it has lot of elements that explains the movie's point of view towards the main character. During the entire movie, Rick is always dressed very nicely in white which can only portray him as important. However his confusion can be noticed very well in this scene. He is surrounded by shadows representing doubts. He is also drinking proving the fact that he does not know what to do. Notice that there is an empty glass next to the bottle, which also demonstrates Rick's lonelyness We feel bad for him which is what political expediency tries induce, feelings for the main character such as empathy in order to relate to him. The director wants us to get to know Rick better and at the end of the movie, to like him because of the choice he makes even though he seems indifferent at the beginning of the movie. There is another aspect of the movie shown in this scene. Sam, the piano player and friend of Rick is wearing a black suit explaining us that he is less important but his face is lit while Rick's is half in the shadow. This can be interpreted such as the opinion of Sam are important and have an impact on Rick.

Mise en scene Analysis:

Dominant: Our eye is first attracted to Rick because his white suit is the only thing bright in this whole shady environment. The director wanted to put Rick in evidence, he wants us to pay close attention to him.

Camera proxemic: It is a medium shot because half the body of Rick is fi
tted in the screen and some of the surrounding space is noticeable. This could be called an exposition scene.

Angle: We are looking at Rick directly from eye level which means that the director wants us to be sympathetic instead of judging him. Notice how we are looking up to Sam however, showing his importance in this scene once again.

Subsidiary contrast: The second thing our eye is attracted to is Sam's face because it is brightened by some light and we are always looking for the brightest element on a screen.

Framing: The framing is somewhat pretty loose. Rick would be able to move freely without impediments. This suggests that it is up to him to make a choice. He still has a chance to get involved.

Character placement: The characters are placed on the edge while the bottle of alcohol is in the center of the screen. The director wanted us to notice this detail so he used the two actors to highlight it so one is on the right and the other is on the left.

Staging position: Rick is looking away from the camera. He would like to be alone and our presence is annoying to him. He does not want to show his confusion because he doesn't want to seem weak in front of others.

Character proxemic: This a personal proxemic, Rick and Sam are about four feet away letting us know that the two characters are somehow friends or know each others pretty well.

Kozaites, WWII Politics in Casablanca

The last scene of ‘Casablanca’ is perhaps the most often quoted ending in cinematic history, with “Here’s looking at you, kid”, “We’ll always have Paris”, “Round up the usual suspects”, and “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship” just to name a few. The reason the ending is so memorable is because of Rick’s selflessness and heroic actions. The use of political expediency in the film further justifies the need to enter into the Second World War and displayed the necessity of it at the time. If Rick represents the American government, then Ilsa became a representation of American lives. However hard it is for Rick to send Ilsa away, it is necessary because Lazlo needs her in order to fight the Nazis. This would suggest that Lazlo represented the Allies in Europe fighting before the Americans entered.
The scene pictured shows everybody looking to Rick, suggesting that he has the power and command. However, Rick is looking at Ilsa, which show that ultimately he cares about her above everything else. They are separated in the scene by Lazlo and Renault implying that the war will, has, and must interfere with the lives of Rick and Ilsa.
The lighting in the film goes from bright and lively to dark and gray hinting that Rick, along with America, would know be entering into a dark uncertain time of war. However this ominous setting is counteracted by Ricks optimistic line concerning the impending friendship between him and Captain Renault. This would suggest that although times would be difficult the American people must persevere in order to win the war.