Mise-En-Scene in Casablanca

This paper will discuss various elements of mise-en-scene, specifically; character development, lighting, performance, costume, makeup in the film "Casablanca".(Michael Curtiz,1942) The setting of the story sets the tone for the entire film. Shots of tanks and planes show the violence of war that coincides with the cutthroat city that is Casablanca. From there, those sentiments are reinforced when a man is shot in the street while another man pick pockets someone whom is distracted. The mood of the movie stays on the dark side of things when we enter Rick's Café, where we meet our protagonist played by Humphrey Bogart. In this scene we are treated to the jaded portrayal of night club owner. We see his utter disregard for a French woman even though there's a hint of caring for her, when he tells his bartender to take her home and that's it. This creates an interesting dichotomy in this character's development that is illustrated throughout the film. It's consistent with someone dealing with an inner struggle. Along his rode of character development we see Rick is in position of two letters of transit. He reiterates his position of not wanting to stick his neck out for anyone. This also creates an interesting relationship with Captain Renault. He is clearly a very corrupt police officer who has a decent amount of power and sways with whoever is in command, in this case visiting Nazi soldiers. He, in affect makes a wager with Rick on the spot about him not helping Victor Lazlo out of Casablanca. This represents a conflict of interest for Renault's character and the beginning of how his character is viewed. Later on that evening Victor Lazlo and Ilsa show up at Rick's and the audience is treated to another side of Rick's character. He doesn't tip his hand when he actually sees her but the song, "When time goes by" draws him back to a simpler time when him and Ilsa were lovers in France. Later on that evening we see the emptiness of his life as he drinks, smokes and