Merriah Kahrs Casablanca

Merriah Kahrs

English 214

Dr. R. Permenter

6/9/2012

Casablanca Blog

When I read that we have to watch the movie Casablanca I had no idea what the movie was about. Then my father proceeded to tell me that my grandfather loved this movie I became more interested. After hearing how much my grandfather loved it I was excited to see how this movie would play out. Also to see if I would understand why my grandfather watched this all the time, this time period of movies is something that I don’t often watch but by the end of the film I had a different opinion on older movies. At first I felt a little bit confused. I feel this was because a lot was going on at once and it seemed to me that the actors and actresses were speaking faster than normal. I will admit that I was interested and very dawn into the plot. I never felt like I wanted to stop watching the film. From start to finish you could say I was always interested in seeing what was going to happen next.

            The Love that Rick and Ilsa showed for one another was very deep. They had a love for one another that many people can’t relate to but I felt like something like that could actually happen. Some of the things they would say to one another just show how deep there love is for one another. For example “we’ll always have Paris” this symbolizes the time and the memories that they have with one another. Just the way they would look at each other was a love that was indescribable. I realized how much of a classic movie this was when I was closely listening to what they were saying. For example here are some of the saying that are remembered to this very day are "go ahead and shoot, you'll be doing me a favor" and "this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship”. One of the reason Casablanca is seen as an ionic film is because it is one of the most quoted films. Also it is an Oscar winner and many other movies take/steal from this movie. Casablanca was the place that was a melting pot, people from all over where fleeing the Nazi and Casablanca was somewhat of a safe zone for many. Over all I feel this film is seen as iconic because of the time period it came out and the reflection it gave on the American culture.

            Now before I started this movie I remember that Dr. Permenter informed us to watch for the lighting. I kept in mind that the slightest shift in the camera or the objects that were being filmed could change the lighting completely. When everyone was in Rick’s restaurant the clothing the characters were wearing were being absorbed by the light different. This would make each character look different in the terms of how the light would hit them. What I mean by that is different textures absorb different amounts of color. As for the style of lighting throughout the film I would classify it as low key. I believe this because of the diffused shadows and atmospheric pools of light that occurred throughout the film. When Ilsa and Rick would have their moments together there was as halo effect around them his would give them a romantic aura. Another thing I noticed that they used wide and telephoto shots during the film.

             Casablanca is a great film to focus on lighting it showed many key points that were discussed in chapter one. This is a movie that you have to watch at least more than once to fully understand what the true message is. Also watching it more than once helps the viewer’s grasps the plot and the true point of the movie. I don’t think I can ever watch a movie the same and as I watch more movies I will see and understand the whole concept of lighting.