The original textbook of cinema

Rating: 9/10 (28 October 2000)

'What was Citizen Kane about, Dad', I asked my father, who was busily consuming his pasta at the dinner table. 'It was about showing that beyond all the Hollywood schmaltz, there were still people with production values', he replied. I sat silent mystified, wondering why he hadn't just given me a straight answer, and then went off to watch this mystic 'masterpiece' of 1941. An hour into the film, I began to understand what my father meant, for, watching you don't really see the story of a business tycoon, but more of the product made by a man with a vision. Orson Welles, as well as creating what was basically a new genre- a biopic, raised the bar of quality to new heights with this movie. The variety of camera shot increased, the voiceover was created, and the idea of having character perspectives instead of just a straight story was finally created.
It isn't actually a very exciting movie on the surface, however. The story does not have the zip of something like Raging Bull (the life of Boxer Jake La Motta), or of course, Schindler's list, which needs no introduction. Yet while 'Kane' is perhaps not the best Popcorn entertainment, it is essential viewing if you want to learn about the invention of modern cinema.
I love this not because it puts a smile on my face, but because gives me an extra perspective when I watch the movies of today. This is just about as near to perfection as you will get