Interestingly, almost no list of classic film noirs includes the Bogart classic Casablanca despite the fact that it contains nearly every single element that a film noir should contain. Although no two people are likely to agree on exactly what elements are necessary to constitute describing a film as noir, most fans of the genre would probably find little to argue about in this assessment from the web site Filmsite.org: "The primary moods of classic film noir were melancholy, alienation, bleakness, disillusionment, disenchantment, pessimism, ambiguity, moral corruption, evil, guilt, desperation and paranoia". A quick overview of Casablanca reveals that of those elements the film is lacking...only one. Since Casablanca is universally regarded as a film classic does the fact that it is almost never mentioned as a film noir classic mean that it is not actually a film noir?
Film noir is most notable for its cinematic look: black and white cinematography, heightened use of shadows and darkness, and distorted, Expressionist staging. Clearly, Casablanca was filmed in black & white and clearly it makes effective use of shadows, especially in the key scenes that take place in Rick's café afterhours. However, one would be hard-pressed to describe the film as Expressionistic. It is a deeply realistic film, in fact, directed in an almost pedestrian manner with little in the way of unusual angles or camera movement. Since the distorted look of most film noirs is intended as a manifestation of the distortion of values and morals that drive the characters in the story, perhaps this may be why Casablanca is rarely regarded as film noir.
Film noir is most notable for its cinematic look: black and white cinematography, heightened use of shadows and darkness, and distorted, Expressionist staging. Clearly, Casablanca was filmed in black & white and clearly it makes effective use of shadows, especially in the key scenes that take place in Rick's café afterhours. However, one would be hard-pressed to describe the film as Expressionistic. It is a deeply realistic film, in fact, directed in an almost pedestrian manner with little in the way of unusual angles or camera movement. Since the distorted look of most film noirs is intended as a manifestation of the distortion of values and morals that drive the characters in the story, perhaps this may be why Casablanca is rarely regarded as film noir.
- Film noir is most notable for its cinematic look: black and white cinematography, heightened use of shadows and darkness, and distorted, Expressionist staging.
- That the visual style of Casablanca does not serve to heighten the moral ambiguity should not be confused with the idea that the film doesn't contain elements of ambiguous morality.
- Rick Blaine is the personification of pre-war America; a neutral observer who comes to realize that he can no longer afford to watch out just for himself.
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Fred
(Guest)
(Guest)
01/14/2009
Perhaps the greatest film noir elements are not in the main plot of the picture, but rather in the intrigues among the masses of people in Canablanca who appear to be ready to do anything to get to Lisbon, including consorting with scam artists and assorted other crooks who give them the slightest hope of escape. While some are helped, like the young couple Rick helps at the gambling table, most are disappointed in their efforts, thereby perpetuating the disillusion and "quiet desperation: of the mass of men, as Thoreau says.
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