Shiori StraussProfessor OakesFilm History 1

Screening Report on Michael Curtizs Casablanca (1942)

Casablanca is one of AFIs Top Films of All Time. It is one of those movies that happens to land every top ten best movie list, and always certain to last the number one stop, as the most romantic must watch. It is a near perfect balance of comedy, romance and suspense. With Michael Curtiz as director it won Best Picture and Best Screenplay. Humphrey Bogart, the leader male actor was used to being cast as a gagster and was embarrassed of being an actor. Ingrid Bergman, the lead actress is the American Film Institutes number three actress, along with her male co-star. Casablanca wasnt supposed to be a hit; it was supposed to be just another war movie but now its known as the greatest love story every told.

Casablancas 70th anniversary was in 1981. This year Ingrid Bergman was interviewed by 60 Minutes about her time on the films set. She discussed how she always played a refuge, a poor girl, simply dressed. When her boss heard about Casablanca and how the main character was supposed to be glamorous- most beautiful girl; her boss thought she was fit to play her. Then came the trouble that they had not finished the script. She admitted that Humphrey Bogart was extremely unhappy between takes, always arguing with people. Everyone would walk around thinking what are we going to do? Meanwhile, Ingrid emphasized how there had to be a little difference in the acting, within the eyes if you do love a person, or if you just do respect him. But the director told her we havent decided yet if youre in love with Humphrey Bogart. It was written day by day, her love scenes had to be a little bit in between which was very confusing for her. To the very end, they didnt know what the picture was going to be. But, beyond the chaos and the rewrites was this beautiful movie. www.cbsnews.com/news/casablanca-turns-70-ingrid-bergman-interview/

The love triangle between Rick played by Humphrey Bogart, Ilsa, Ingrid Bergman and Victor Lazlo, Paul Heinreid is the main conflicts throughout the movie. When I watched the film for the first time years ago, I thought she was going to end up with Rick. Im sure many viewers assumed she would end up with Rick, due to the flashbacks and the obvious chemistry between the two. To find out that the director himself wasnt sure who Ilsa was going to choose was fascinating because I could only imagine how difficult it was for her to portray the sense of being in love with two men, equally. But audiences have always been rooting for Rick and Ilsa. I remember in When Harry Met Sally, Billy Crystal refers to Isla and Victors marriage as a passionless marriage, as opposed to Ilsa and Ricks intense attraction to one another. So maybe Ingrid Bergman herself hoped Ilsa would stay with Rick, not go off on a plane with Victor.

Write a critical analysis of the film,includingyour personal opinion,formed as a result of the screening, class discussions, text materialand the article.

Casablanca, one of the best love stories ever told, is one that sometimes argued due to the surprising ending. Ilsa gets on a plane with Lazlo, and leaves Rick there. Throughout the movie, we know she loves the two men in different ways. With Victor, it is more of a friendship, respect for one another. Ilsa and Ricks relationship is on a whole other level, the passion and heartbreak is written on both of their faces. So, why does she go with Victor Lazlo? Are we supposed to follow our hearts or take the practical route like Ilsa did? I dont think there can be a person who has watched Casablanca and not asked him/herself this question.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 1) ( ) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 2) ( ) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 3) ( ) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 4) ( ) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 5) ( ) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 6) ( ) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 7) ( ) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 8) ( ) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper.