Well done, but not #1

Rating: 8/10 (13 March 2003)

About six years ago, I came across a list put out by the American Film Institute. It was the top 100 movies of all time, and I made it my personal goal over my lifetime to watch every movie on that list. Every now and again I watch one of the movies on the list, and check it off my yellowed piece of newsprint.
I got to see quite a number of those movies, and the list was beginning to fill with red checkmarks. But there was one odd point. I had never seen movie number 1. The top rated movie of all time by the AFI. I had never seen Citizen Kane.
Now I finally have a red checkmark next to number one. What's my take? It's an enjoyable movie, well done and well presented. As a movie by today's standards, it's simply a good film. The best movie of all time? Not even close. Revolutionary, influential, and important - yes. The aura that surrounds this movie, the scandal and the social commentary give this film its credibility. The style of the filmmaking is ahead of its time, and its presentation influenced countless productions after it. Even though I had never seen the movie, I knew what 'Rosebud' was by the time I was seven years old.
It's not the story that puts this movie in the number one spot; it's the aura and influence that surround this movie. And I have to give credit where credit is due - Citizen Kane may not be the best film ever, but so far I believe it may be the most important.