Citizen Kane Reflections
Although it did not turn out to be one of my all-time favorite movies, I recognize the historical value of Citizen Kane that has continually placed it at the top of “the best of all time� film list. Since the time the United States first became an independent nation, the ideal of the American dream has transcended every generation from the Pilgrims to present day. As the overriding ideal of Citizen Kane relates to the American Dream of fame and fortune, it is clear to see the reasons this movie has stood the test of time. The principles of a man lonely and miserable despite great wealth and fame are as true today as a century ago. This is apparent in the gossip columns of celebrities today
who find themselves in drug or alcohol rehabilitation or recovering from an attempted suicide after realizing that a life in front of the cameras and sparkling jewels was not necessarily what they expected. The difference is that today’s actors have perfect lives on screen with happiness and prosperity while their personal lives may not match with the characters they portray. In the case of Citizen Kane, Orson Welles was miserable in the movie but may have been satisfied and happy off of the camera. With this in mind, it may be difficult for today’s American movie-goers to relate as they still view the American dream as a goal to which they will aspire.
As Citizen Kane was made in the 1940’s, many question its validity in today’s society. One author summed it up when he or she said “Citizen Kane is cited as a great film for its cinematography, symbolism and message-all things that do not interest most film-goers today. If you were to show Citizen Kane to a random bunch of people today, nobody would care.� This statement holds many truths. First, the movie held amazing cinematography for its time as the camera caught different angles of each character and scene, allowing the viewer to see the distorted ideals of Charles Kane. Shadows were used to symbolize the shadows and darkness Kane felt over his life. Both of these filming strategies are still used in today’s movie industry, except that shadows tend to mean that something lurking or scary is approaching. In relation to the quote, “a random bunch of people today� would most likely find this movie dull and old. They may argue that is lacks the fast-paced, action-filled scenes that are currently driving the filmmaking world.
Overall, the film for me was enjoyable as it granted me greater insight into the corruption of the American dream. I hope it remains an American classic and learning tool for many years to come.