On C List of Movie Reviews

(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)



Citizen Kane (1941)

Rate: 10
Viewed: 8/04, 10/06, 4/12, 11/15

CitKane
10/06: For the sake of film appreciation, knowing the story behind the scenes of Citizen Kane will aid you in understanding what the hoopla is about.

All in all, no Best Films list is valid if Citizen Kane isn't in the top five.

4/12: When Citizen Kane was released, Orson Welles reached the top of the mountain and became an immortal god of cinema.

Afterwards, he had nowhere to go but down...down he went hard. It puts everything about cinema into perspective. An important film for numerous reasons, it's one of the best-shot works of art in terms of storytelling through the power of cinematography. The controversy behind the scenes is the reason for its mammoth reputation which makes the whole thing fascinating.

All in all, Orson Welles will never escape from his association with Citizen Kane.

11/15: Citizen Kane is among the best films made.

It remains unsurpassed in terms of cinematic achievement. To make for a spellbinding viewing is how busy and interesting many scenes are by using different photography techniques. Sometimes, I had to pause the movie to look at everything. That's part of Orson Welles' charm.

The final ten minutes sums up everything in terms of what it's about which is the neverending, unsolvable goose chase of why the person became who he was. Although the "Rosebud" mystery seems to simplify things, there are questions left unanswered. Again, that's part of Orson Welles' charm, and he was putting on a magic show.

All in all, Citizen Kane is a top five masterpiece.