Trainspotting:Key scene analysis

Notes: Comparing Casablanca & Do The Right Thing

Similarities

·         Even though the storylines of these two films are quite different, the message that the director is trying to convey to the audience could be seen as similar.

·         The main message that is presented through these films is that even if you are a neutral party in a dispute you will have to eventually choose a side and make a decision based on the side that you chose

·         One of the main themes that are explored in both films that of friendship. In Casablanca the theme of friendship is explored specifically through the characters of Rick and Victor Laszlo and in Do The Right Thing it is explored through the Mookie and quite a few of his friends such as Buggin Out and Radio Raheem

·         With both films have noticed the respect that the protagonist is given by all the other characters. In Casablanca Rick is respected due the fact that he owns the café and for the fact that throughout he manages to upkeep this sort exclusive and entitled attitude, whether or not he is actually deserving of it or not. Similarly, in Do The Right thing Mookie is respected because of the way that he doesn’t seem to interfere with what others are doing and the way he just manages to get on with everything. Mookie is also more respected even more by himself because he is the only one that works.    

·         Other similarity between Casablanca and Do The Right Thing is that there are objects in other that may on the surface seem insignificant, however that may have a really important meaning. An example of symbolic object is Casablanca is Sam’s piano, which symbolises normality and purity and object in Do The Right Thing that is symbolic is the radio Raheem’s boombox (radio)-which symbolises the power/ control that black people have in America

Differences

·        Even though these two films in the themes that they explore and the message that they trying to convey the way how it achieved in each of the films is different

·        Because these films came out at different times the specific issues that they are trying to address are different. Casablanca was made in 1943 and so therefore the main issue that addresses is that or war. Whereas Do The Right Thing was made during 1989 and the main problems that it was trying to explore was inequality, racial tension and police brutality

·        Another difference between these two films is the production context. Casablanca was made during the time of the classical Hollywood studio. During this time script writers and directors did not have a lot of directive creativity and where just as important as any other members of the crew. Do The Right Thing however was both written, directed and produced by Spike Lee. So much over the creativity of the film was in his hands he would be considered an auteur.

·        The editing in these films are different. In Casablanca invisible editing is used as a way of making the story flow in a linear manner and to make the audience focus of the story more, however in Do The Right Thing more obvious types of editing is used by Spike Lee

·         Another difference between these two films is their representation of women. Even though Casablanca was made in the 1940s Ilser seems to be a pretty strong woman who is driven by not only desire and but also logic. In addition to this she seems to be a quite respected character by all of the men, whereas in Do The Right Thing Spike Lee representation of women is really minor. Mainly through the character of Tina women are presented as sexual beings that are broken by their sexual desires.