flashbacks and the unanswered questions

Rating: Null/10 (9 May 2014)

Citizen Kane is regarded by many to be one of the greatest films of all time. As for its significance it bring a lot to the table as far as cinematic structure and meaning are concerned. With regard to the structure the film consists of almost entirely flashbacks and the revisiting of a dead mans best associates and acquaintances, including an ex-wife. This film style exhibits how using flashbacks as a films core story telling method can truly capture an audience. It forces viewers to ,like the reporters in the movie, piece together Charles Kane's life and story based on what we learn about his past. Flashbacks had never been quite been used in this style or to this extent. unlike most previous film when the flashback started and continued throughout the entire plot duration and most of the screen duration Citizen Kane continuously goes back in fourth from reality to flashbacks as reporters try and uncover the meaning Charles Kane's last words, "Rosebud". Considering meaning the films has a powerful and significant message. Come to find out Rosebud was the name stenciled onto Kane's sled that he is seen playing with as a child before his parents give him away to wealthy business owner in hopes he will live a better life and become successful. Kane becomes one of the richest men in America but is seemingly ungrateful to the man who assisted him in getting there. An old friend of Kane reveals throughout his life he seems to go to great lengths to try and please those he loved and was always doing things that would make him feel loved. At the end of the movie its revealed the Rosebud sled is in the home where Kane died. This implies that being given away by his parents made Kane strive to achieve a feeling of love and embrace that is unmatched by the love and embrace a child feels from his parents. The message here is that attaining all the fortune and success the world has to offer does not make up for the love we receive from being apart of a family, something Kane was robbed and the only thing money could never buy him.