Citizen Kane

Rating: 9/10 (13 October 2010)

I have always been told that Citizen Kane is one of the best films ever made, now I see why. This movie portrays a man who is taken away from his parents and put into a world of wealth, which lets him do basically whatever he wants. This wealth seems to make him lose everything that is important to him. His friends, his wives, and his passion for his newspaper. I believe this is why on his deathbed he said the famous word of "Rosebud". In the end, we all see that Rosebud is his sled he had when he was a kid. For Kane to remember this when he loses everything must mean that this was what he loved most. A time before wealth and power came to existence for him. This teaches us the theme of the movie. That being too wealthy will ruin a person and that simple moments in life, like sleigh riding, is what makes life worth it.
Besides the theme, the overall movie was amazing. The audience could recognize when it was dark and when it was light due to lights in a room and shadows that appeared. Also, the camera showed many scenes at different angles. For example, when Kane was running for governor the camera was above him, so the audience was looking down at him. Also, when Kane was talking to Jed after Kane lost the election the camera looked like it was on the floor following these two men around the room. The acting was superb and Orsen Welles is a great actor as well as a great writer.