Kane Review
Considered one of the greatest films of all-time, Citizen Kane certainly does many things well. First, the film exemplifies that, for some, money simply can't buy happiness. I believe this is a view that resonates with many modern film-goers. Living in a society in which they are exposed to corporate scandal, greed by professional athletes and celebrity vanity on a daily basis, I truly believe that the greater theme of Citizen Kane would ring true for many of today's film-goers. Second, I would have to disagree with the comment posted on the assignment page that no one today would appreciate the magnificence of Kane's cinematography, symbolism and its message. I would argue that while the modern trend in movies is to go bigger and better with visual effects, true film-makers and film-goers are just as concerned with a film's content (cinematography, symbolism and its message) as they are with surface-driven action sequences. Third, there is a stark contrast between Welles' shooting methods with those of today's filmmakers. In Kane, one can observe the long takes imposed by Welles. Often times, a scene will stretch the limits of dialogue or emotion before cutting to another scene. This couldn't be further from the methods of today's producers. Short, concise sequences full of visual stimuli have replaced the longer takes of older films such as Kane. Whether this is a positive or a negative is, in my opinion, still up for debate. Last, I wish to comment on the status of the film as one of the greatest of all-time. For me, Kane is a very good film. It breaks the boundaries of genre, as it could be seen as a mystery, drama or tragedy. Welles deviated from the norms of film-making, as he was among the first artists to depict the affluent lifestyle in a negative manner. In doing so, he took a risk and produced a classic film that stands the test of time. Although I wouldn't put Citizen Kane in my top five films, I can certainly see why others have.