Puzzled Build-up of Man and His Mystery

Rating: 9/10 (25 September 2011)

Although wealth is often associated with success and, consequently, happiness, reality often proves otherwise. Being a billionaire may equal to being lonesome and unhappy. A lot of examples show clearly that being ultra-rich can mean being ultra-sorrowful.
The cinema production that memorably depicts an absorbing story where wealth cannot fill the puzzle of human personality (rosebud) occurs to be CITIZEN KANE, the first feature film (film à clef) by Orson Welles. Based upon the true life story of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, the movie offers a wide range of cinematic thrill and psychological development, which make it a key production at multiple levels. And indeed, it appears challenging to review such a film, the CULT FILM that so many great film critics and scholars have already analyzed before. Certain modesty is needed. Yet, every single viewer is able to add something new that others have not seen before. I could experience that when seeing the film on the big screen lately on the occasion of its recent 70th birthday with other people. The exchange of viewpoints occurred to be a true exchange of perceptions. Let me address some points underneath where I will combine our impressions with some widely acclaimed opinions.
When viewing Welles' movie, one's attention is directed towards the main character not through the traditionally linear storyline but through a flashback and other flashbacks within. We are led to know the newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles) who dies in his vast dreamlike estate Xanadu, an oasis of his mind and wealthy life, and whose last, mysterious, absorbing word is 'ROSEBUD.' May he remain mystery, an enigma? Is his caution sign 'No trespassing' powerful enough? Or may anyone dare go deeper... Flashbacks, narrators and the attempts led by newsreel reporter Jerry Thompson (William Alland) help us get to know the man who has won so much, who impersonated the American dream, yet who is tormented by something mysterious - a man in the endless search for something that could make his life bright. Although so many people are around him, he finds himself alone... Despite some criticism, the portrayal of Orson Welles is truly special and sophisticated.
All the supporting characters (the cast rather new to the motion picture industry of the time) are genuine, we empathize with most of them, they are the people whom Kane encountered in his life and whom reporter Thompson questions. However, after longer inspection, we realize that they are/were nothing but background, more to say, aims by which Mr Kane gains success. They appear to be shadows that slowly disappear from his selfish mind: the two women seemingly loved by the magnate, his wives Emily (Ruth Warrick) and Susan (Dorothy Comingore), his political rival Jim Gettys (Ray Collins), his friend and first reporter on the paper "The Inquirer" Jed Leland (Joseph Cotten) and the loyal friend and employee Mr Bernstein (Everett Sloane). All are gone at the face of selfish loneliness...Beautiful exemplification of falsely directed personal success and selfish desires that manipulate and affect a person/people in the capitalist world. It also refers to the deception of politics. Where are the working men he seemingly cared for? Where are his rivals he challenged? What remains are cold statues and enormous halls. Can he prove anything to himself at the face of death --- this genuine, inevitable, merciless fate?
The thought provoking content goes with brilliant artistry and cinematography's innovations. Great camera work in the large interiors, Gregg Toland's cinematography boasting of deep focus shots (where everything is in sharp focus), and Maurice Seiderman's make-up appear to be stunning. Among the most memorable scenes, let me name just two: the thrilling action in Kane's conversations with his wife Emily and the atmospheric gloom in Thompson's visit at Bernstein. The way Xanadu's interiors are shot, the use of light and shadows leave a lasting impact in viewers, too. In such moments, the mystery of man nicely goes with the mystery of images. The music by Bernard Herrmann with his effective "Breakfast Montage" and the wit in the parody of vocal coaching supply the movie with the artistic/entertaining merit.
It is important to note that CITIZEN KANE is the double work by Orson Welles. In how much he was appreciated by many film scholars, let me quote the French New Wave filmmaker Jean Luc-Godard who said: "Everyone will always owe him everything." Welles, as an actor, beautifully portrays a man whose will and whose heart are the supreme driving forces, yet who does everything with consideration of himself. There is no doubt that he makes a lasting impression in the role. As a director, the views were quite diverse. Although we can agree that his stylish direction indeed helps the film considerably, certain criticism occurred on the topic of Welles' collaboration with Herman Mankiewicz on the screenplay. The criticism was also the result of proclaiming CITIZEN KANE officially the greatest film ever made. There is no doubt that such a fake expression will meet reproach. Some eminent people criticized Welles' film as "an all-American triumph of style over substance" (according to Ray Carney) or as a 'total bore' made by Welles, the 'infinitely overrated filmmaker.' (according to Ingmar Bergman).
All things considered, it would be an unforgivable condensation to say that CITIZEN KANE is merely a historic movie. It is much more...if not directly, it addresses the core of individual/social views on success and means of achieving it; it shakes the self-view of people and interpersonal relations; it brings to light the personal disasters hidden in the world-acclaimed maxim: 'the end justifies the means.' People as means and wealth as the end? Yet, what stands for this 'wealth?' Things that say nothing, statues that feel nothing and...the merciless visitor that takes all? Then, the childhood memory, even if shortened of something, occurs a simple, redeeming relief...
And what were our impressions after seeing the film? It inspired thinking and feeling.