Directed by Michael Curtiz
Starring – Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid
Based on “Everybody comes to Rick’s” by Murray Burnett and Joan Allison
Structure:
The structure of the movie are not linear and
they do not respect the classical narrative pattern, which usually consists of
the equilibrium, the disruption of equilibrium and new equlibrium.
In the part where Rick asked Sam
to play on the piano a song called “As time goes by” we see the break of
chronology. When the pianist starts to play, we see the relationship between
Ilsa and Rick. The method used is flashback. We understand by it what happened
between characters and how it affected their lives.
At the beginning of the film we
see the equilibrium of the story with Rick’s café and people of different
nationalities having fun there. Also there is voice-over narrator who explains
the situation at the beginning and why people are in Casablanca. Then the main
disruption of equilibrium happens when the protagonist meet his old love in his
café with her husband. They need special letter that will help them to escape
to America. The realization comes when Ilsa confronts Rick in the deserted café. When he refuses to give
her the letters, she threatens him with a gun, but then confesses that she
still loves him. Then Rick's bitterness dissolves. He agrees to help, leading
her to believe that she will stay with him when Laszlo leaves. It is to repir
the disruption. The new equilibrium happens when Ilsa is left Casablanca, Rick
says «Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship» and when
Rick killed the German official.
Characters
Main characters are
Rick (hero), Ilsa(princess), Victor Laszlo(one more hero or villain).
Other characters are Major Heinrich Strasser (villain), Sam
the pianist and Captain Louis Renault(helpers) and Ferrari (donor).
Some characters do hove stories some
not. We learn them by flashbacks, their actions, from the words of other
characters.
At the beginning some motivations of
some characters are not clear, but (for example Rick) we understand his
motivations better through his memories of Paris and happy days with Ilsa. Also
motivations become clearer when characters explain their positions and what
they think of. I understand Ilza’s motivation when she left Rick in the Paris,
because she wanted help her husband who was alive and needed her help. Also I
understand why Rick helped Ilsa to escape with her husband, because he really
loved her and wanted to appear as a hero.
Closure
Narrative closure for Rick, Ilsa and
her husband is happened when Laszlo and his wife left Casablanca on the plane.
Clarity
The story and the setting are clear,
because creators used such variety of methods, cinematography things, editing
and mise en scene things to make audience be evolved in the movie and be clear
with what is happening there, for example at the beginning there is voice over
narrator who explains the situation.
Progression
I think all main
characters decisions and actions drive narrative because camera is focused on
them and how they overcome different obstacles and challenges. For instance
Rick met Ilsa, then she ask him help her and her husband and etc. Also the
dialog is key in driving the narrative because through it characters communicating,
sharing thoughts and explaining many things.
Perspective
I think the film
includes the first person perspective of Rick. So, the effect of it to show his
point of view and make clarity in his actions. We see, feel, think as the
character.
Story
I think the kind of the story is quest because it revolves around a
central protagonist striving to meet all important. At the end the character
reaching a goal and changing inside.
Themes
One of the main themes in the film Casablanca is the personal
transformation of the movie's main character and other one is unhappy love. In
the beginning of the movie, Rick Blaine is shown as a selfish, bitter American
exile who claims to have no emotional or political loyalties. By the end of the
movie Rick becomes a man who sacrifices his own happiness and risks everything
for love and honor.
The music plays huge role in the movie. We hear music
which makes us think of control and hegemony of the country, especially
Morocco. Somehow the music also creates the atmosphere of patriotism. In the
part of Rick’s memories and part where Ilsa asked Sam to play a song we
understand the relationship between them and importance of the song for both
characters. It establish sentimental moment of the movie. At the end
of the movie, he used high volume music with the fast kinetics of the
characters. This shows how they are worried and want to arrive as fast as they
can
