The film Casablanca is often referred to as one of the
greatest films of all time. It contains many universal themes that people can
relate to, no matter what the time may be, which is why audiences return to it
time and time again. One obvious theme is love. Love is seen between Lazlo and
Ilsa, Rick and Ilsa and arguably, even between Renault and Rick and also
between Rick and Sam. There is even love for France in the famous scene where
the French loyalists sing the Marseillaise in a room full of Nazis. Most notably,
the relationship between Rick and Ilsa is of a deep love that never seems to
cease, even though she is now married to another man. The love Rick has for
Ilsa is depicted in the scene in Rick’s Café where he tells Sam to play the song that he has always forbidden.
By him ordering Sam to play this song, it is clear that Rick still has strong
feelings for Ilsa since that song reminds him of his time with her when they
were free and happy in France. Rick’s love for her, however, is ultimately
shown in the final scene of the film where he lets Ilsa go on the plane with
Lazlo knowing that he may never see her again for the second time. He
sacrifices his feelings for her because he knows she will be happier with
Lazlo, which is the ultimate test of love; giving up everything for your lover
just so they can be happy. Overall, the film Casablanca has many tales of love,
some unexpected, some unusual, and some heartbreaking, which makes it the
classic film that it is. But this also allows for the question, besides love, what other factor makes a movie a "classic". Is it characterization, plot development or can pure love be what creates a movie that audiences will watch time and time again?
I believe that all three factors of characterization, plot development and pure love causes the audience to want to enjoy the film again and again. What makes a movie great and desired to watch many times is its ability to take people out of reality and bring a perspective on life that is not only relatable but also different from what they usually see. In Casablanca they brought true love with a twist in its love triangle. This allows people to connect to the desire of love but also try to understand how this can resolve. What makes this memorable is the way the plot was developed the entire film and then at the end changed to the unexpected. This leaves people craving that change in expectations.
ReplyDeleteBesides love being a main factor of making this film a classic, I think the character development of Rick is something that draws audience members in. He is a rather mysterious character from the beginning, someone who holds his own and doesn't stick out his neck for anybody; this changed with the presence of Ilsa back in his life again. His character immediately begins to unfold and shows a much softer side of himself to the audience. All three factors you mentioned go hand in hand in this film, and work together to resonate something deep within the audience.
ReplyDeleteLove is always a strong topic when trying to make a film a classic. It's something some have found, others are looking for but either way a film which shows the theme of love will draw an audience. The characterization of Rick goes hand and hand with love because deep down he is lost for the majority of the movie until love leads him to possibly a life changing decision to switch his motives and help out Laszlo. Maybe instead of love it could be sacrifices made for people one cares about.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the film's war of love is what made it so engaging. We're only human, so ofcourse we will fall for the main character Rick, and hope that he gets on that plane. But, the basic theme of love itself is not what makes the film such a classic. The battle for Ilsa between Lazlo and Rick is what keeps the story interesting. If it were only a love story between Rick and Ilsa without any blockades, then the story would not be nearly as fascinating. But the fight for it keeps us on edge, wondering what is next.
ReplyDeleteI think a movie can be considered a "classic" if it excels in any one of those categories mentioned. Not all great films have to have the theme of love necessarily, but as long as we, as viewers, feel something after the movie ends, then we will want to watch it over and over. It is hard to evoke real emotions out of an audience but movies that do should be considered classics.
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