Dubbed by several critics as the greatest American film of all time, the highly acclaimed 1941 film “Citizen Kane” continues to make an impact 60 years from its initial release. Directed by, produced by and starring world famous filmmaker Orson Welles, the film follows the life of fictional Charles Foster Kane, a newspaper tycoon who begins his career with high ideals and ends in an obsessive pursuit of power and control. The similarities between real-life newspaper industrialist William Hearst and Kane are inescapable and bring the inspiration behind the plotline to reality.
The creative way in which the plot line was executed is reason enough for praise. The basic outline of Kane’s history is shown through newspaper headlines and a few well-chosen words. A reporter investigating the life of Kane conducts several interviews attempting to answer why Kane’s final dying words are “Rosebud.” Journeying from Kane’s childhood until his divorce with his second wife, each stage of his life is told from a different perspective (filmed as flashbacks) giving the film and Kane’s character itself multiple dimensions.
Arguably the most notable aspect of the film is the cinematography itself. Considering that the movie was made in the early 1940s, the angles and scene transitions are extremely progressive for its time. From the very first sequence, when Welles leads his audience from the “No Trespassing” sign, up the hill and eventually into Kane’s palace where he lays dying, the technique lent interesting methods for inviting viewers into the film’s world. The rest of the movie is filmed in the same way, making you notice things you wouldn’t notice: a detail in the set perhaps, or the way characters are facing each other.
Welles proves himself to be not only a pristine filmmaker but an excellent actor as well. His portrayal of Kane is wonderfully, almost scarily believable. As we come to know Kane—an ambitious, talented man lost in the chaos of the business world—we see a character played above and beyond the mere surface of facial expressions and well-delivered lines. Welles captures the heart of Charles Kane. His eyes exude the very soul of this intelligent character, a power-ridden man desperate for peace and resolution in his life. Other actors did a fine job with their parts but it is Welles who stands out above the rest. Perhaps it is because he created the film partially based off his own life experiences, and spent so much time creating the character that he was able to pull it off.
Though not particularly noticeable at first, the music and lighting project a “Twilight Zone” creepiness in the film, creating an unsettling feeling as the audience watches a life gone horribly wrong (death, divorce, scandal) played out on the screen. Set design too was excellently done. Designed after Hearst’s castle, Xanadu—Kane’s abode—accurately represents the struggles of Kane’s life: a continuous building of ornate and exquisite design yet with very little human warmth to fill the space. Welles manages to make even these small details add to the loneliness of Kane’s life.
As the movie comes to a close the reporter is no closer to finding the meaning of “Rosebud” than he was at the beginning. Instead he has bits and pieces of Kane’s life to grapple with: a broken marriage, a newspaper company run amuck, an empty palace… a misunderstood man. I am not one to spoil movies, but it suffices to say that the final scene in the movie reveals more about Kane’s world than the rest of the film ever did. It leaves a haunting image of a childhood lost, a life gone astray, a tragic end to what could have been a better life.
I wouldn’t particularly call this film one of the greatest films of all time, but it certainly has all the elements of a masterpiece film. Believable actors, unique cinematography, a creative plot line, music, lighting and sets that create an atmosphere fitting for the character and most importantly, a means of facilitating discussion after the film. “Citizen Kane” leaves the audience asking questions—about the movie and perhaps about the state of their own lives. It’s not exactly an enjoyable movie, but there is no denying it is a thought-provoking one. If one were to watch the movie several times over, there is still a little more insight to gain every time. In the art of filmmaking, that is a good thing.
Photograph taken from Rotten Tomatoes.
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