Lauren Kolsum's Kane reflection
The first time I had seen Citizen Kane, one of the most hyped of movies for nearly six decades, was early in highschool and I can't say I was too impressed. My disinterest was due to the fact that I was not used to black and white, slow paced, out dated, and old fashioned films because they were out of the norm of my viewing pleasure. It took me a few more years to appreciate the film for what it is, perhaps the most magnificent, controversial American movies of all time.
Watching the film this time around I challenged myself to look at its deeper meaning beyond the surface. The movie is much more complex then I could have ever imagined. First of all, it gives away no easy answers. There is so much hidden symbolism where every single detail is significant in the film's meaning. I can not beleive Citizen Kane came out in the early 40's, it was unlike anything around that time. The camera work was just brilliant in itself including the many low angled shots, creating powerful personas, and the extreme close ups. I remember one almost humorous close up at Kane's party. The camera was zoomed in on Leland's face for no particular reason that I could tell for quite some time. The lighting of the shots were powerful and intensional as well. There is one shot where the lighting of the characters is almost black and white. Kane is in the room with Mr. Bernstein and Leland writing up his intensions for the paper and when he's finished he stands next to the others in a dark shadow, perhaps foreshadowing what's to come of the newspaper and Kane's life. The music is also done exceptionally well as it should have been since it was picked out by the same man who does the music for Alfred Hitchcock films. Citizen Kane is such a classic, well-liked-by-the-critics film because Orson Welles dared to make a film unlike anything anyone had ever seen before and he succeeded beyond belief. People at the time were used to viewing straight forward movies with easily identifiable good guy/bad guy characters. The movie contains hidden symbolism, impeccable camera work, brilliant sound, and engaging imagery all together creating one of the most influencial films in American history.