Thomas Campbell’s Citizen Kane Reflections
Having never watched Citizen Kane before I did not know what to expect from a Film directed in the 1940’s. Personally I would not put it at the top of my all time favorite list because I found it to slow to understand and do not like many old films. I also do not like black and white films as the lack of color makes it harder for me to follow. However that being said I do understand the greatness of this film due to the lighting and camera work for a film directed in the 1940s. If this film was directed with today’s modern techniques to move faster and become easier to understand I do believe it would be a very successful film and possibly on me all time favorite movies
Citizen Kane used the mysterious word “Rosebud” to examine the American Dream. Kane used his money and power to buy love and make others as miserable as possible. However what Rosebud really reveals to us is his lost happiness from his childhood. In his early childhood Kane was brought up poor but was still happy, when his mother sent him away he lost all his happiness, becoming rich and greedy turning Kane’s palace into his own prison, a tragedy that greed and wealth can bring to many people who do not know what to do with it all.
I agree with the following statement “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.” Most people today watch films for the excitement, a good story line, and great acting not for the likes of cinematography, symbolism and the message.
I do believe that the portrayal of Charles Foster Kane was fair. The director does cover Kane’s life from all aspects expressing this through several different characters that viewed his life differently to find out his true personality.
Overall I believe if I watched the film again I would understand the concepts of the film easier now that I know the meaning of “Rosebud” and can follow the importance of it throughout the film.