casblanca essays

casblanca essays In the clip from Casablanca, the mise en scene, cinematorgraphy, and sound, work in in unison to create a significant meaning to the film. The sequence of events adds the missing story piece of their love, and clues the viewer that something bad is yet to occur. This is achieved through the overal lighting, palcement of actors in their environment, the props present, and through the physical body language of the actors. In the first shot, Rick is shown slouched at the bar. He has a half empty bottle of booze and is drunk sounding in his sppech and physical demeanor. The song motif As Time Goes By is being played by Sam, the piano man. This song is used almost subliminally during different times when Rick or Ilsa are experiencing a thought about the other. His dialouge underlines the depth of his deep hurt and abandodment felt from Ilsa. There is a dark feel to the scene by the appropriately placed low key lighting and sharp contrast of shadows. Ricks white coat is a key light which makes him stand out as the viewer is able to concentrate on his feelings. The camera zooms in to a medium shot of Rick, and his feelings become even more subjective and personal. As, he draws on his cigaratte and exhales, the smoke leads to a flashback in Paris enabling the viewer to get inside Ricks head as the meaning of Ilsa is explained. The setting of Paris is evident through the foggy fade in of the second shot of the Larc de Thripomphe. The Paris montage shows Rick and Ilsa driving with an extremely phony back projection shot in which they magically go to Champs de Lisez to the counrty in one second. This unrealistic switch of settings shows how Rick;s memory works, and alos gives a sense of magical romance. Rick and Isla are shown enjoying each others company and falling in love. In the beginning of the third shot, we see them both smiling as the wind is blowing in their hair. Rick puts his arm arou...