One of the timeless classics in the world of cinematography, Casablanca is a quality picture for its complex relationship portrayal, especially between the main characters, Rick Blaine and Ilsa Lund. The specifics of their relationship will be analyzed under this media review looking into different communication aspects and mentioning the theoretical models in general.
Nature of Power Relationship
The power relations between Rick and Ilsa are complex. Rick is the owner of Rick’s Café Américain, hence, he actively has a great level of power over Ilsa as she possesses less background and her intricacy of loyalty towards Rick due to his calm and mysterious character. Nevertheless, the storyline reveals that a similar type of emotional power that Ilsa possesses affects Rick. The flashback sequences are indicative of how much their past romance had blinded them and most particularly Rick; Ilsa’s actions and decisions have diminished Rick’s humanity. Rick’s reaction when Ilsa leaves suddenly is a clear example of how her character is so influential on him that she can leave, and he will not immediately stop her. Tactile interaction and resources demonstrate the vital centrality of verbal communication, like Ilsa’s incriminating disclosures, and nonverbal cues, such as lingering stares.
View of Love Expressed by the Characters
The perception of love between Rick and Ilsa changes throughout the film, sometimes choosing sacrifice and sometimes self-preservation. Rick’s observations about love, in the beginning, are elemental and cynical and ultimately transform into a selfless and sacrificial form amidst the resurfacing of Ilsa in his life. Ilsa’s situation of falling in love with the real estate tycoon Rick after marrying Victor Laszlo shows a beautifully illustrated challenge of love. Love is proclaimed verbally, as in the famed line of Rick’s: “Here’s looking at you, kid;” so does the intricate duality of Ilsa’s words when she declares it for embracing her, yet having a coded message for believing him. Certain gestures such as the kissing which Wordsworth talks about as passionate kisses falling with rain serve as a vivid portrayal of their inner attendant feelings.
Uses of Deception and Relational Violence
In Casablanca, deception becomes the main motif, especially the one between Rick and Ilsa. Introducing the act of deception, Rick’s first opinion about the Ilsa’s simply disappearing acting without any clear indication which made him believe that Ilsa deserted him for something. As the story unravels, what is evident is that Ilsa’s departure was motivated by a set of interrelated reasons, this set of reasons giving the tale more plots of edification. Relational type of violence is suggested rather discreetly in the emotional upheaval of Rick, which comes as a result of him realizing the truth behind the seemingly unexplained murder. In terms of relational violence and deceit, the use of verbal and nonverbal language, in the form of tense dialogue interaction and strained facial expressions shows the effect of that aspect of their relationship.
Skills and Strategies to Escalate or Maintain the Relationship
Rick and Ilsa use a variety of communication skills and clever maneuvers to negotiate the complexities of their relationship. The interpersonal skills of Rick include charm and wit which make moments of connection between people and thus, find a way through psychological barriers. This can be further supported by his liberal outlook on their relationship when he opted to choose the bigger image of happiness over personal happiness which is a form of sacrificial strategy to maintain a sense of reason in that relationship. Non-verbal tricks the survival for a short time such as gestures and touches that are lingering and act as strategic tools to make their intimacy survive the challenges from the outside world.
Relationship in Terms of Dialectical Theory
The relationship between Rick and Ilse in Casablanca represents the dialectical conflicts that are present in all complex human relations. The dynamic of autonomy-connection continues to be remembered when they struggle to put up closing individual wishes while still aspiring for something mutual. At the same time, it is the interplay of openness and rustion that is perceptible, based on secrets and discoveries that dictate the storyline. The texts use dialogues about the past and guarded nonverbal expressions as a way of describing the issues evolving from these dialectical scenes. Their voyage becomes a painful expose of what are the integral conflicts in their intrinsic nature, which cause a conflict that ebbs and flows throughout the relationship, despite the whole story being a great movie love; still manages to create a new dimension of authenticity and interest.
Relationship in Terms of Social Exchange Theory
The interaction that Rick and Ilsa share in the movie, Casablanca, adheres to social exchange theory, showing mutual benefit and reciprocity. The characters display a more complicated exchange between parties wherein the individual and common interests equally come into play. The acts of sacrifices, such as Rick helping Ilsa and Victor Laszlo show a calculated trade based on the mutual benefit. Oral agreements and silent gestures of thanks build up a currency for their social exchange, emphasizing that their relationship is woven together. This theoretical construct makes their interactions strategic and when actions are compared against the expected gains for both, there are appreciated gains.
Reference
Julius J. & Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch. Casablanca. (1942).
write