Casablanca Close-Up (Closing Sequence)

Overview:

Key Elements:

Cinematography –

The scene begins with a mid-shot of an airport worker, tracks his movement outside, then rests o n the car pulling up, tracks the movement of the people walking out, then pulls our further to a five shot to show the worker that Renault is speaking to. This is the perfect example of Classical Hollywood Style, preventing the need for cutting by using carefully planned actor choreography and smooth, gliding camera movements to keep the audience immersed, keeping their attention away from how the film was made and keeping it only on the story and the characters.

Instead of using shot reverse shots, a close up of Rick and Ilsa is used to prevent the need for cutting, keeping the audience immersed in the moment and emotionally invested in it, and also showing Rick and Ilsa’s emotional connection and intimacy in that moment. Very shallow focus is used here to show that nothing else matters in the moment.

A close up of Ilsa keep or focus on her emotional reaction to what Rick is saying. It does this again by pushing in on her face as her and Lazlo leave to bring our attention to her emotional state, making us understand the emotional importance of this moment in the film and making us sympathise with her. Rick is also lit more similarly to Ilsa in this scene, which shows that they have moved past their hatred for each other, and that Rick has become a better person.

Editing –

Shot reverse shots between the plane leaving and the Nazi arriving raise tension as the audience link is the two together and understand that Lazlo and Ilsa have nearly left, but now Rick is about to be arrested, as Renault has explained through exposition that he will, and Rick told him to as soon as the plane left. Faster shot reverse shots between Rick and the Nazi raise the tension between them, and an over the shoulder shot from behind the Nazi looking at Rick shows that Rick won the quickdraw. Shot reverse shots between Renault and Rick as Renault explains the death of the Nazi to his men raises tension, and shows an emotional connection between the two and a deliberate decision on Renaults part to help Rick.

Sound –

As Rick and Ilsa say their emotional goodbyes, As Time Goes By plays to add emotional subtext to the scene. The non diegetic composed score picks up to an intense and dramatic moment as we the the Nazi driving quickly to the airport. As the film ends, the composed score rises to a grand and powerful crescendo to signify the importance and victory of the moment.

Mise-En-Scen –

Performance –

Context:

Lazlo’s dialogue is patriotic, rousing and moving, a result of this film being an interventionist piece. Rick is presented as a noble American hero by offering the Nazi three chances to do as he says, and only shoots him when the Nazi also draws a gun. This is symbolic of America finally getting involved in the war after being reluctant to for so long. Renaults decision to drop his Vichy (French allied with Nazi Germany) water bottle into a bin and kick it to show his anger and him being finished with the Nazis. Ricks saying that now is a good time to start being a patriot, and Renaults agreement, are symbolic of the need for America to join the war.

Representation and Aesthetics:

Auteur: