Review of Citizen Kane (1941) by Tracee E — 27 Aug 2014

Charles Foster Kane, (Orson Welles) a wealthy newspaper tycoon, has been living in florida like a hermit in his massive estate. He dies in his bed while holding a snow globe and utters "Rosebud". Kane's passing is international news. Reporter Jerry (William Alland) investigates Kane's life story trying to discover what exactly Kane meant when saying "rosebud". Based on the life of William Randolph Hearst, Welles directs, stars and co wrote the script with Herman Mankiewicz. This is a great film shot in gorgeous black and white.

When watching Citizen Kane it is impossible to fully grasp how astonishing Welles is as Kane. Welles Acting is a marvel, Welles was twenty five at the time of filming and plays Kane from twenty five to seventy. I was totally convinced in the opening news reel scenes that through the use of make up and body posture Welles was a man in his fifties. The Editing was innovative for its time. Welles use of transitions were amazing. The opening shot of the snow globe smashing and then cutting to the outside snow was inspiring. I liked the cross dissolve used to covey Charles departure from his parents that starts on his cheek and dissolves into his snow covered sled.

Citizen Kane is almost universally excepted as the greatest film ever made. Being from another generation I was interested to see the film again, I watched it as a teen but re watched it recently and find with maturity came understanding and an ability to appreciate its genius. The fact that Welles was so young and this was his first film is legendary. This is filmmaking at its highest form and its most artistic. The story is epic, the cinematography at the time was innovative and inspired. I found the paroles to todays society interesting as well. Great art can last the test of time.