Exam Question
Compare how far the actions of the main characters are influenced by the times in which the American film you have studied were made (Casablanca,Kurtiz/ Do the Right Thing, Spike Lee).
'Casablanca' and 'Do the right Thing' both contain themes that strongly affected the world at the time: World War 2 and racial injustices respectively. Casablanca, despite being set in 1941, was made in 1942. 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. As a result of this, it could be classed as war propaganda like many of the 1940s noir films were.
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. 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. Mookie had quite a soft personality to him. Like Rick, he chooses not to get involved with all the conflict that is going on around him. But by the end of the film he throws a bin threw the window of Sal's pizzeria indicating that he has had enough and is standing up for himself and his people. These character changes are also used as statements to the audiences of the time about society at that time.
In both films there is no main antagonist. However, it could be argued that the antagonist is what was occurring at the time. Casablanca was set a year after America joined the Second World War as a result of this, the characters that we are made to dislike are the Nazi officers. The character Victor Lazlow fought in the war and as a result of this, he represents rebellion and the nations that were already fighting in the war. Rick prefers to stay neutral and it is clear that the Kurtiz makes him appear as selfish and as an introvert. He tends to stay out of other people's affairs. This has the power to make his final decision have more impact to the narrative as it symbolise the fact that America has finally made the decision to join the war. Like Casablanca, Do the Right Thing has no primary antagonist, instead choosing to use a social issue of the time as a form of conflict that disrupts the equilibrium. One of the problems that Spike Lee tackled was racism and police brutality. Even before the rioting at the end of the film there was tension between Blacks and the police. This can be seen when they are in the street on the hottest day spraying each other with water in order to cool down. The tension is also seen more explicitly through the death of Radio Raheem. He was murdered when a police officer refused to release the choke-hold that he put him in. When Spike Lee made the film (1989) there were a number of incidents involving police brutality occurring in America, with there even being a huge riot in L.A only 2 years later as a result of it. Lee ends the film with a dedication to the people who had been killed as a result of these attacks.
In conclusion, you could say that the 2 main characters form both films were driven by the same motivations. They were both tired of the way that the people around them were being treated and so as a result they both take a stand. The experience changes both of them as a person and their last seen could be what the director wants for the future. Casablanca ends with Rick and Louis walk away into the fog. This could represent a new alliance for the countries of the world and a uncertain but better future. Do the Right thing ends with Mookie getting his pay check with Sal and reconciling with him despite throwing a bin into his shop smashing the window. This could be Lee's way of telling the audience that we should learn to live together despite any previous conflicts that we may have had.
In both films there is no main antagonist. However, it could be argued that the antagonist is what was occurring at the time. Casablanca was set a year after America joined the Second World War as a result of this, the characters that we are made to dislike are the Nazi officers. The character Victor Lazlow fought in the war and as a result of this, he represents rebellion and the nations that were already fighting in the war. Rick prefers to stay neutral and it is clear that the Kurtiz makes him appear as selfish and as an introvert. He tends to stay out of other people's affairs. This has the power to make his final decision have more impact to the narrative as it symbolise the fact that America has finally made the decision to join the war. Like Casablanca, Do the Right Thing has no primary antagonist, instead choosing to use a social issue of the time as a form of conflict that disrupts the equilibrium. One of the problems that Spike Lee tackled was racism and police brutality. Even before the rioting at the end of the film there was tension between Blacks and the police. This can be seen when they are in the street on the hottest day spraying each other with water in order to cool down. The tension is also seen more explicitly through the death of Radio Raheem. He was murdered when a police officer refused to release the choke-hold that he put him in. When Spike Lee made the film (1989) there were a number of incidents involving police brutality occurring in America, with there even being a huge riot in L.A only 2 years later as a result of it. Lee ends the film with a dedication to the people who had been killed as a result of these attacks.
In conclusion, you could say that the 2 main characters form both films were driven by the same motivations. They were both tired of the way that the people around them were being treated and so as a result they both take a stand. The experience changes both of them as a person and their last seen could be what the director wants for the future. Casablanca ends with Rick and Louis walk away into the fog. This could represent a new alliance for the countries of the world and a uncertain but better future. Do the Right thing ends with Mookie getting his pay check with Sal and reconciling with him despite throwing a bin into his shop smashing the window. This could be Lee's way of telling the audience that we should learn to live together despite any previous conflicts that we may have had.
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