Today’s quick review: Citizen Kane. After the death of Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles), a controversial newspaper magnate and failed politician, a reporter interviews the millionaire’s friends and associates about his life. The story that emerges is that of a bitter, loveless man whose many achievements were not enough to bring him peace. Throughout it all, the reporter searches for the meaning behind Kane’s mysterious last word: “Rosebud.”
Citizen Kane is a classic drama about a fictional publisher whose yellow journalism and flawed personality made him many enemies. A biopic of sorts, Citizen Kane tells the story of Charles Foster Kane’s life through a series of interviews that flash back to different portions of Kane’s life. The whole endeavor is executed with artistic cinematography, a rock-solid script, and a strong dramatic performance from Orson Welles.
Citizen Kane acts as a character study of a successful but troubled man. The film follows him through his newspaper career, failed political campaign, and two marriages as he searches for a happiness he cannot obtain. Orson Welles ably brings the willful, opinionated character to life, playing him with just the right balance of charisma and selfishness to showcase the man’s rise and fall.
How much you get out of Citizen Kane will depend on your taste in drama and cinematography. Citizen Kane is a well-crafted drama that earns its place as a classic, but its character-focused story, downer tone, and nonlinear presentation mean that it will not capture the interest of everyone. Citizen Kane is well worth watching for its craftsmanship alone; those who particularly enjoy character pieces will get more out of it still.
8.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.0 for outstanding cinematography and strong acting and writing.