Good...but not the best

Rating: Null/10 (12 September 2001)

According to the American Film Industry, "Citizen Kane" is the greatest movie of all time. After seeing this film, I found that a bit hard to believe. "Citizen Kane" has been patted on the back so many times, that its name alone has become a juggernaut. But is it deserving of so much praise? Let me first give you a quick rundown of the movie. Charles Foster Kane is dead. He was the richest man in American. Now that he's gone, everyone wants the scoop on his troubled life. One group of reporters decides to take a different angle. The last word Kane uttered before death was "Rosebud". No one knows what that means, and so these men set out to find the big secret behind this puzzling word. They proceed to interview all of the people who supposedly knew him best, yet they never uncover this secret. At the denouement, however, the audience is able to see what "Rosebud" is before it is destroyed.
I must admit that I already knew what "Rosebud" was before I saw the movie, and most people do. But, in the event that someone out there has no clue, I won't spoil it for you. There are some greats aspects to this film. Orsen Welles did a good job as both lead actor and director. Joseph Cotton (Shadow of a Doubt) was wonderful as Jedeiah Leland, Kane's oldest friend. There were quite a few scenes which I enjoyed. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it even better had I not already known what "Rosebud" was. In addition, its reputation as the greatest movie of all time made me expect much more of it, which might also explain my disappointment. I personally look for movies that draw me in completely, strike my emotions so that I either laugh or cry or, even better, laugh and cry. I like to identify with the characters, and I love great dialogue and symbolism. I would give "Citizen Kane" 3 out of 4 stars because I was aware of the presence of some of these elements to a certain point. This was definitely a good film. But the greatest film ever? I think not!