Citizen Kane's Story Progression
I have watched this movie several times before class and been impressed with the fantastic cinematography, the use of light and shadow to great affect, the acting, and the editing. However what struck me most this time was the way in which Welles ordered his plot. He begins the movie with the end, then uses that great newsreel footage to detail exactly what he is going to show the audience throughout the movie. As we move from viewpoint to viewpoint along with the reporter, the life of Kane is fleshed out more and more, and we get a character that is extremely complex but readily understood. It would be easy for an audience to dismiss or grow bored with the plot since it is already laid out. Instead the mystery of Kane's death only allows the viewer to become more engaged with the life he lead and the great drama and tragedy in it.