The 1942 Michael Curtiz film, Casablanca, sets up one particular heart wrenching scene where Ilsa enters the room where Rick had been waiting and lamenting over her after seeing her for the first time since they were planning to leave Casablanca together. In this scene, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman's classic on screen characters are portrayed well through the director's use of lighting, props, and costume. Also, these elements of film play a major role in setting the depressing mood that encompasses the scene. .
The scene first opens with Rick coming out of a flashback of himself and Ilsa. The first thing that is apparent is the pitch darkness that Rick is sitting in. His face is shadowed and grim. He is sitting at a table with an almost empty bottle of liquor in front on him. It is evident that he had been drinking and the fact that he is sitting solemnly in the dark room implies that he is lamenting over Ilsa. Sam is in the room playing Rick and Ilsa's song, "As Time Goes By-. This song is played much slower and softer than it had been earlier when Ilsa asked Sam to play it in the café. The music alone sets a sad tone. .
When Rick knocks over his glass, Sam runs over to pick it up for him. This shows Rick's importance and also Sam's admiration for him. It is obvious that Sam isn't picking up after Rick reluctantly and really feels more like a confidant than an employee. .
When Ilsa walks into the room the scene's emotion changes completely. The music suddenly gives an intensified burst of a louder and more shrill note. The doorway is illuminated as Ilsa walks into it. She is dressed in a white coat and has a white wrap around her head. The lighting effects on Ilsa as she walks in gives the viewer a sense of her beauty and importance. She is almost like a ghost from Rick's past and she, being dressed in white, adds to the effect. Before she walks out of the doorway, the camera jumps the shot from Rick's expression and back to Ilsa's a couple of times.
