Review of Citizen Kane (1941) by Dorianator F — 27 Apr 2013
It perplexes me how the AFI could proclaim this as the greatest movie of all time. There is no doubt that it is well shot and the style of the film is top notch. Plot, characters, and viewers emotional gratification should matter more when assessing the greatness of a movie.
This is where Citizen Kane fails. If this weak story were a book it would be uneventful and unfulfilling. There are no strong or identifiable characters in the movie. There is inconsistency and contradiction with Kane's character and it is hard to decide how to view him.
He is dislikable with his controlling, irrational, destructively proud and fiercely stubborn behavior. Everyone around him is so callous, selfish and unloving you understand why he never feels happy. Kane is hard to paint as a truly despicable man but cannot be viewed as a victim.
The story flounders in contradiction and never develops into a more complete understanding of a complex man. The rosebud mystery resolution is incredibly unfulfilling. This is not a terrible movie, but it is highly overrated and goes nowhere.
This review of Citizen Kane (1941) was written by Dorianator F on 27 Apr 2013.
Citizen Kane has generally received very positive reviews.
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