AFI Top 100: Citizen Kane
How do you review a movie like Citizen Kane? In almost any list you check, it appears very near or at the top as the best movie ever made. The idea that there can be a #1 film seems a bit flawed, but it’s enough to pique one’s curiosity. We both went into this film expecting something akin to It’s a Wonderful Life on steroids.
And, in a way, it was. Citizen Kane is (to mightily truncate the plot) the story of a man’s life, and his search for a little peace in the world. Created by first time director Orson Welles in 1941, the film was revolutionary on many fronts. Although Citizen Kane received good reviews from critics, it was a box office flop (barely making back it’s budget, much less turning a profit). The film was virtually forgotten until it was released in Europe in 1946. There, it began its steady arc towards being remembered as a “Great Film”.
But enough background info. To avoid the risk of being completely out of our league with this review, we’ve chosen to keep the questions simple. Here we go:
Did you like Citizen Kane?
Most definitely. While some of the plot devices were a tad cryptic, the overall story is captivating. It’s hard to believe Orson Welles is only 26 in this picture…the sheer power of his acting makes it impossible to look away from many of the more dramatic moments. The overall look of the film was a real treat as well.
What stood out specifically?
First and foremost, the dialogue. While many older movies feel as if you’re watching an endlessly rehearsed play, Citizen Kane’s dialogue moves naturally, with people interrupting each other, obscuring lines, and giving the feel of improv. Here’s a great example.
As with all black and white movies, lighting the scenes is everything visually. The cinematographer on Citizen Kane took black and white to an art form. You watch just one scene, and you know every nuance of the lighting was carefully planned, like a painting.
Will I like Citizen Kane?
That depends. Do you have advance tickets to Transformers 2? Have you seen Twilight multiple times? If so, this film isn’t for you. However, if you’re even casually interested in filmmaking as art, you’ll eat this movie up. Plus, don’t you want to know what people mean when they say “Rosebud”?
Sum up this movie. Now.
Citizen Kane is a landmark film that isn’t easy to digest, but that everyone should try at least once. While we can’t say we enjoyed this film more than all other films, we can say we were captivated by it. It’s brilliant.
