Carl the Critic: Citizen Kane

Rating: 5/10 (17 November 2010)

I am not a big fan of Citizen Kane, it's just one of those films like The Dark Knight, where everyone says it's the greatest film ever and then you go see it with high expectations only to be disappointed. But is Citizen Kane a terrible film? Well that will all depend on what you are looking for in a film. If you are looking for a movie that makes you feel good, has a good story, and likable characters than Citizen Kane is not your movie. The movie is a Film Noir with elements of both realism and formalism that make the story dull and confusing. It is very depressing and hard to get into, and Kane, the character is a total a**h***.
However for those of you who are studying film making, you need to watch this movie. Citizen Kane is what is known as a text-book film, it is long and boring but every shot in the film is perfect and these are all techniques that every inspiring film maker should watch and study. Films schools will make you watch this film anyway so why not get a head start right now. Meanwhile I'll just sit here and wait until you are done.
(2 hours and 30 minutes later)
Finished!? See what I mean about the story. It's dreadful, depressing, and it makes me want to kill Charles Kane... Again.
But what makes this film very disappointing for me is the ending. Although well photographed it tells you that all along Kane's last words "Rosebud," was in reference to his sled... Are you kidding me! I had to sit here for two and a half hours watching this only to learn that the guy was talking about his freak-en' sled!
Oh well, I guess I can't complain too much, it is Citizen Kane after all, the movie that made Billy Wilder movies awesome by creating a new genre of film.