I believe that the flashback in the middle of Casablanca is a great implementation of the technique and allows viewers to fully comprehend the complicated relationship between the leading characters. I also think it is necessary for the composition of the movie since spectators do not have enough stimuli to sympathize with the love of Rick and Ilsa before the flashback. Their memories provide the required background to create immersion for viewers.
According to Brett Lamb, the primary principle of the first act in the Hollywood narrative is establishing the genre, characters, setting, and mood of the movie (2019). I believe that the film excels in every single one of these parameters and successfully introduces the viewers to the world of Casablanca. Furthermore, the ending of the first act is indicated with the turning point that commences the action, and once again it conforms to the classical Hollywood narrative.
I believe that the ending of Casablanca does conform to the classical Hollywood narrative. The structure of the third act of the film lines up perfectly with the standard Hollywood composition – the breaking point into climax followed up by denouement and finishes with the final image (Lamb, 2019). The film aligns with this arrangement perfectly, and that is why Casablanca is one of the most brilliant examples of classical Hollywood movies.
In general, the role of flashbacks in movies should not be underestimated since they add value to the plot and enrich the narrative. In the case of Casablanca, I also believe that the implementation of this technique is necessary to demonstrate the background of the leading characters and the complicated relationship between them. Without this knowledge, the viewers might perceive the bond between Rick and Ilsa in an unintended way. I believe that both responses excellently portrayed the purpose of flashbacks in the narrative and explained why this technique was necessary for the film. The mentioned notion of emotional immersion into the relationship between Rick and Ilsa also plays a vital role in understanding the composition of Casablanca.
I think that both responses once again were able to grasp the main concepts of the basic characteristics of the opening sequence in the Hollywood narrative. The first act generally introduces the characters, setting, and mood of the movie and also establishes the primary roles, such as the protagonist and his love interest. Furthermore, as mentioned in the second answer, it is essential to recognize the significance of the typified characters since it is indeed a part of the Hollywood structure but frequently overlooked. The ultimate part of the first act is the breaking point that commences the action, and Casablanca conforms to it as well.
According to the Hollywood narrative structure, the central focus of the third act is the climax of the movie, and both responders did mention this fact. The unexpected plot twist alongside the drama of the action makes for a perfect denouement of the film. The inner thoughts and worries of the leading characters are excellently demonstrated to the viewers to show the change in the characters’ perspectives. It is further confirmed by the scene when Rick sends off Ilsa with her husband making for a perfect ending to the story. I believe that both responders successfully managed to grasp the primary concepts of Casablanca and excellently answered the questions posed.
Reference
Lamb, B. (2019). Narrative and ideology. Web.