Comparison of "Do the Right thing" and "Casablanca"
Comparison of "Do the Right thing" and "Casablanca"
'Casablanca' and 'Do the right Thing' both contain themes that strongly affected the world at the time: World War 2 and racial injustices respectively. These films both contain characters that likely contain the viewpoints of the director and go with the message that they are trying to portray. For example, in Rick's bar the French people stood up to the Germans by singing the national anthem.
Both films have obscure camera angles that add to the film. Do the Right Thing has the use of diagonal camera angles to show confusion and unsettling moments between the character. Casablanca, on the other hand, mainly goes to a diagonal angle when the German officer is shot showing that it is an important plot point in the narrative. They
The directors of the film are both described as 'auteurs'- film directors who influences their films so much that they rank as their author. They both have heavy influences over the production of their films and are able to add their own creative spins on them. Spike Lee especially, deals with regular characters who portray his social viewpoints on society at the time. 'Do the Right thing' has a simple premise but has many character's stories bounce off of that. Curtiz (who directed Casablanca) had a large creative influence too which was uncommon for directors at that period of time. Despite this, his films still were a product of the Old Hollywood Studio System.
The Old Hollywood Studio System is the phrase used to describe how films were made between the 1930's and 1950's. All of the films,whilst being set in different locations, were filmed on a sound stage in a studio. Casablanca was a part of this time period and had the studio, actors and production techniques that are associated with that time. 'Do the Right Thing' is part of the new Hollywood system due to the time in which it was made. It has many attributes to the new style.
Another comparison between the two films are the character arc that the main characters (in this case Rick and Mookie) go through. They both start off as introverts who mainly worry about themselves. However as the plot unfolds there is a turning point that gives them the opportunity to change. With Rick it is his love for Ilsa that makes him do a nice thing which goes against his initial stiff character. Mookie had quite a soft personality to him but by the end of the film he throws a bin threw the window of Sal's pizzeria. These character changes are also used as statements to the audiences of the time about society at that time. As Casablanca was set during World War 2, Rick helping a soldier signifies that America should do their part in the war and help their allies and fellow soldiers. Mookie on the other hand was Lee's way of encouraging people to do the right thing and stand up for their rights in society.
In conclusion, at first glance Casablanca and Do the Right Thing may not look like they have anything in common, their themes of unity and doing what is right are very similar.
Both films have obscure camera angles that add to the film. Do the Right Thing has the use of diagonal camera angles to show confusion and unsettling moments between the character. Casablanca, on the other hand, mainly goes to a diagonal angle when the German officer is shot showing that it is an important plot point in the narrative. They
The directors of the film are both described as 'auteurs'- film directors who influences their films so much that they rank as their author. They both have heavy influences over the production of their films and are able to add their own creative spins on them. Spike Lee especially, deals with regular characters who portray his social viewpoints on society at the time. 'Do the Right thing' has a simple premise but has many character's stories bounce off of that. Curtiz (who directed Casablanca) had a large creative influence too which was uncommon for directors at that period of time. Despite this, his films still were a product of the Old Hollywood Studio System.
The Old Hollywood Studio System is the phrase used to describe how films were made between the 1930's and 1950's. All of the films,whilst being set in different locations, were filmed on a sound stage in a studio. Casablanca was a part of this time period and had the studio, actors and production techniques that are associated with that time. 'Do the Right Thing' is part of the new Hollywood system due to the time in which it was made. It has many attributes to the new style.
Another comparison between the two films are the character arc that the main characters (in this case Rick and Mookie) go through. They both start off as introverts who mainly worry about themselves. However as the plot unfolds there is a turning point that gives them the opportunity to change. With Rick it is his love for Ilsa that makes him do a nice thing which goes against his initial stiff character. Mookie had quite a soft personality to him but by the end of the film he throws a bin threw the window of Sal's pizzeria. These character changes are also used as statements to the audiences of the time about society at that time. As Casablanca was set during World War 2, Rick helping a soldier signifies that America should do their part in the war and help their allies and fellow soldiers. Mookie on the other hand was Lee's way of encouraging people to do the right thing and stand up for their rights in society.
In conclusion, at first glance Casablanca and Do the Right Thing may not look like they have anything in common, their themes of unity and doing what is right are very similar.
Madichi this is a good starting point for this discussion, you pick a couple of nice themes to base this on. When talking about the Production practices it may be useful to use budget and box office as well as any Industry and audience recognition received for the film or its Directors, what did they do next?
ReplyDeleteWell Done.