One of the greatest movies of all time...

Rating: 10/10 (3 June 2005)

Orson Welles' 1941 masterpiece, "Citizen Kane" is widely hailed as one of the greatest movies ever made, and AFI placed it atop their 100 MOVIES list. Don't get me wrong, this is not a mega-Hollywood blockbuster. There are no explosions, the movie is sixty-four yrs. old, and it is in black and white. Some people will stop reading this here, but I would seriously advise anyone who has not seen this classic story of power, life, love, loss, and death to rent or buy it immediately. The B&W cinematography, and the nostalgic, almost haunting feel to the lighting and the "deep focus" camera-work draws you in to the outstanding visuals. The visuals! From the opening shots of Kane's storybook like castle (no reavealing anything about that here!) to the crane shots over the bar in the rain, the movie is a stimulating and detailed picture to watch. Not only that, but the story is rich and detailed, and structured beautifully, with Orson Welles playing the title role as a recently deceased newspaper tycoon, a la William Randolph Hearst. A powerful and both loved and hated public figure, a young reporter is sent with the task of finding the meaning of his last words, and in turn takes a journey through flashbacks and meetings with various people connected with the gigantic tyrant. You leave the story as confused and as haunted as you come in, but it doesn't matter. The acting, visuals, and timeless story draws you in and leaves you with a film classic that is not easily forgotten. Highly influential and an American classic, "Citizen Kane" is an outstanding drama any real movie buff will appreciate.