Casablanca Analysis: Intro to Rick's Bar scene
Casablanca: Analysis of the intro to Rick's Bar scene
The first shot of the intro to Rick's Bar we get a full view of the building and the people around. What quickly catches the audience's attention is the sign as well as the shadows of people walking around reflected on the walls as the searchlight goes from right to left on the bar's main door. This gives the audience a little bit of information about the place: it is private, not for everyone and the delinquents are being searched. It also gives the audience a third person perspective as the camera takes a full shot of the building. The music from the bar is audible and is also mixed with the background noise of cars and the door being constantly opened and closed.
The shot then cuts to a full take of the "Rick's cafe Americain" where palm trees are reflected on the sign. The background noise and music does not change as the camera descends smoothly to the same level as the rest of the clients that are entering the bar, making the audience feel part of the film. Even the way the doorman is positioned makes the viewer feel included. The searchlight appears reflected on the door once again while the camera slowly enters the bar after the young couple. The music gets louder, as does the background noise of chatting people, while the ceiling lamps on screen make everything clearer, reflecting more shadows on the walls and giving a sense of mystery to the bar. Something to highlight that also contributes to the mysterious scenery is the smoke above their heads since smoking indoors was such a popular habit in the 1940’s.
We learn that the bar is full of people in the next shot, when the camera follows the movements of the waiter showing most of the bar. The camera keeps following the waiter in a hurry from right to left (passing in front of the band that is somewhat standing in the dark) until the singer/pianist makes his first appearance. As we get closer to him it is noticeable that he has caught everyone’s attention, mainly because of the way his body is facing the camera and the projection of his voice (without neglecting the charisma and sympathy that he transmits shown on the customers reaction).
The focus then goes directly to the customers situated in different places in the bar, to certain characters to be specific. They show a man smoking and being served by a worker in the dark before smoothly directing the camera to the left, where two men are seated in a private section. The man in black seems worried about not getting out of Casablanca and it is proved by his facial expressions, the way he is holding the table cloth, the drink in his hand and the sadness represented by the lack of light around him. Meanwhile, the other man seems to be the complete opposite to him. He is smoking, relaxed, unpreoccupied, not even bothering to give the other man more attention than necessary, and differences from the other man by being surrounded by light and clearer colours.
Once again, a little bit separated from the crowd, the camera cuts to another exchange between characters.With the background music that can hardly be heard, the only two faces that can be clearly distinguished are the man and the woman thanks to the lighting and characters positioning. The man seems to be specialized in jewelry while analyzing the woman’s necklace, and she looks desperate for a way to escape from Casablanca, her facial expressions and the drink on the table giving her away. From the way she dresses it can be deduced that she is rich, but it does not make a difference to be wealthy in a place where everyone has money, so her disappointment is not a surprise when the man tells her the value of the necklace.
The camera then cuts to one last exchange between two men that are obviously discussing something illegal. Once again, the characters are hidden behind the columns of the establishment trying to dissimulate while smoking and drinking. The walls are mostly covered by shadows as the light reflects on the man's upper body, focusing all the attention in him, until he is stopped by the other man sitting across himself when he notices the soldiers walking behind him. He suddenly stops talking, proving that the topic of conversation is private and waits for the soldiers to leave.
Throughout the intro to Rick’s bar, one thing that is for sure is that everything illegal happens there. Everyone wants to leave Casablanca and the only way to do it is by doing it illegally and everyone there has money but no one stands out, meaning that there is a lot of corruption and unbiased people.
The first shot of the intro to Rick's Bar we get a full view of the building and the people around. What quickly catches the audience's attention is the sign as well as the shadows of people walking around reflected on the walls as the searchlight goes from right to left on the bar's main door. This gives the audience a little bit of information about the place: it is private, not for everyone and the delinquents are being searched. It also gives the audience a third person perspective as the camera takes a full shot of the building. The music from the bar is audible and is also mixed with the background noise of cars and the door being constantly opened and closed.
The shot then cuts to a full take of the "Rick's cafe Americain" where palm trees are reflected on the sign. The background noise and music does not change as the camera descends smoothly to the same level as the rest of the clients that are entering the bar, making the audience feel part of the film. Even the way the doorman is positioned makes the viewer feel included. The searchlight appears reflected on the door once again while the camera slowly enters the bar after the young couple. The music gets louder, as does the background noise of chatting people, while the ceiling lamps on screen make everything clearer, reflecting more shadows on the walls and giving a sense of mystery to the bar. Something to highlight that also contributes to the mysterious scenery is the smoke above their heads since smoking indoors was such a popular habit in the 1940’s.
We learn that the bar is full of people in the next shot, when the camera follows the movements of the waiter showing most of the bar. The camera keeps following the waiter in a hurry from right to left (passing in front of the band that is somewhat standing in the dark) until the singer/pianist makes his first appearance. As we get closer to him it is noticeable that he has caught everyone’s attention, mainly because of the way his body is facing the camera and the projection of his voice (without neglecting the charisma and sympathy that he transmits shown on the customers reaction).
The focus then goes directly to the customers situated in different places in the bar, to certain characters to be specific. They show a man smoking and being served by a worker in the dark before smoothly directing the camera to the left, where two men are seated in a private section. The man in black seems worried about not getting out of Casablanca and it is proved by his facial expressions, the way he is holding the table cloth, the drink in his hand and the sadness represented by the lack of light around him. Meanwhile, the other man seems to be the complete opposite to him. He is smoking, relaxed, unpreoccupied, not even bothering to give the other man more attention than necessary, and differences from the other man by being surrounded by light and clearer colours.
Once again, a little bit separated from the crowd, the camera cuts to another exchange between characters.With the background music that can hardly be heard, the only two faces that can be clearly distinguished are the man and the woman thanks to the lighting and characters positioning. The man seems to be specialized in jewelry while analyzing the woman’s necklace, and she looks desperate for a way to escape from Casablanca, her facial expressions and the drink on the table giving her away. From the way she dresses it can be deduced that she is rich, but it does not make a difference to be wealthy in a place where everyone has money, so her disappointment is not a surprise when the man tells her the value of the necklace.
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