CASABLANCA

Casablanca

Casablanca

Introduction

Casablanca is an American film directed by Michael Curtiz in 1942 with headliners such as Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. The actions in the movie took place during the Second World War in the city of Casablanca (Dixon, 2006, pp.13-67). Casablanca is one of those movies that one can see two, three, five or ten times, and still it continues to amaze. Michael Curtiz staging is subtle, intelligent and accurate. From every point of view, Casablanca is admirable and enjoyable. The collaborative script, lighting, editing, music and even the costumes complements this story of love, honor, and loyalty. Curtiz hands the camera to tell us almost everything about Rick who depicts the face of the hero and thus confronts with his loneliness with cigarettes, chess game without opponent, and his drinking scenarios. Rick Blaine is an American cynical expatriate in Casablanca where he is the owner of Rick's Café. This upscale nightclub attracts a diverse clientele such as French officials, Nazis, refugees or even thieves (Barker, 2005, pp. 19-34).

The timings portrayed in the movie are well set. Ilse and Rick are two of the most moving characters of the film. Obviously, Casablanca is also a sort of political film. The context of the Second World War and the fact that the street has been occupied by the Nazis (not only on screen but in real life) show us the political aspects too. It delineates the Germans as enemies; the Italians as bootlicking the Nazis; The French as reliable and The Americans as heroes. These ideas can be seen in each character.

Discussion

During World War II, America was enslaved Europe for the symbol of freedom. Lisbon is the port of embarkation to the New World and to hope. But direct access in Portugal is almost impossible and people fleeing the oppression of Nazi must borrow byways. Paris, Marseille and the Mediterranean to Oran. From there, they must win Casablanca bypassing the Spanish Morocco, in railways, in cars or on foot. And then, what have the means or opportunity can obtain their visa for Portugal and from there, winning the Americas. But the poor unlucky expect Casablanca for the days, weeks, months. In 1942, Major Strasser, a leading German dignitary, arrives in Casablanca (unoccupied France) to investigate the murder of two emissaries Nazis. He asks for his investigative support and assistance of Captain Renault, head of the local police, attached to the Vichy regime. For Renault, the answer to this riddle can be found at Rick's (a coffee Américan) held by an American in exile and former opposition to fascist in Ethiopia and Spain, Rick Blaine. Rick's is the place of appointment of a cosmopolitan crowd and also serves as a refuge for those who want to obtain the necessary papers to leave the country (Epstein, 1994, pp. 32-35).

Undermined by heartache, Rick became a man disenchanted and now affects an opportunist who completes detachment vis-à-vis the international situation. It displays its total neutrality in unleashing traffic in the works or by refusing ...