Analysis Of Casablanca

To begin with, a general examination of the film and some of its qualities, particularly in regards to the war: One of the opening scenes is of the chaos in the Moroccan streets, which immediately sets the mood of chaos in the world at large. The feeling of... Who can you trust? The sense of danger lurking around the corner. It lends the viewer a sense of unsettlement as it paints the feeling of world war II. The rest of the film was definetly a distraction from the current events at the time, WWII was themed and chanalled through the characters but never directly.
The cinematography and lighting is shadowy throughout the movie, implying secrecy and emptiness pertinent to both war issues, as well as the love story. The film has fantastic dialogue, very well written and witty. The European flair of Rick's establishment displays the contrast of the world Casablanca is itself—a place of European and American refugees trapped on the edge of Africa during a time when much of the world seemed turned upside down.

The main character Rick is stoic, showing his jaded side, and his neutrality on seemingly everything is symbolic of countries such as Sweden or Switzerland eventually showing true power of United States.

Taking no side to avoid being hurt, a quite hero of the movie, never revealing his true intention but standing by all of his actions. Rick actions evolved from being neutral to controlling every situation just like U.S. did in WWII. Especially at the end of the film when Moments before Major Strasser comes to halt Rick and the plane, he is revealed near a portrait of Adolf Hitler. The Nazi imagery is ample. This then makes the moment when Rick shoots him even more representative of America sticking it to The German empire in a very symbolic

moment.
Ilsa the love intrest is torn between a genuine love for two men—one the love for her husband which stems from respect, the other the love for Rick, which stems from passion. She is a country torn in two, in the end having to side with one man, but eyes welling with tears because her love for Rick still exists. Perhaps Ilsa is Germany itself, as a whole not just the Nazi front, but also the innocent people of Germany—many of whom died, but a part of her dies when she has to leave Rick in the end. Though her character is from Norway, Ilsa is also a German name.
Laszlo, being a man of such strong conviction fighting against the Nazis, could represent the Allies in general. He moved around from country to country during the better half of the war. Surving imprisonment at a concentration capm, he is the symbol of the jewish population during the war. The survivors and the fighters of the community that shined the light and gave hope to all those around him. Major Strassers reaction to Laszlo was appropriately mentioned as he was scared of him and wanted him locked away and gone, such as the German empire viewed the jewish community.
Major Heinrich Strasser clearly represents The Third Reich, Germany, and Nzai party. Major has The sense of ominous German control over everything and everyone in Casablanca, even in Rick’s bar the most nuetral and sheltering place in the city. The character shows true Nazi characteristics as he always looks down on everyone, and constantly introducing new scare tactics on other characters of the movie. Doesn’t get him very far, just like Germany didn’t get far during the war, as others relize he is not that powerful.

Captain Louis Renault is the apex of sleaziness of power. He is depicted as being morally vague and only devoted to the top bidder anytime than having any real moral foundations binding him to one side or another. The French background of the captain backs his depiction as at this time during the war there were pities on both side of the Allies and the Axis powers as France was becoming occupied by the German empire. Captain Renault laughs towards the end of the movie as he mentions that he blows with the wind. Captain is okay with it as long as he is benefiting from it, such as France during WWII.
In the wrap up of the film, for the sake of critique, it's a bittersweet end. Rick redeems himself for being somewhat of a jerk to Ilsa, whether or not it was unwarranted, and for wallowing in self pity. He was Ilsa's passionate love, but she walks away with her respectable, unjealous, noble husband Victor Laszlo—and is able to do so thanks to Rick, so neutral on the surface but wounded inside, takes control of the situation by letting her go.