Logan Sork Film Reviews
Citizen Kane
There are a lot of films out there that have been labeled as “perfect”, whether it be by critics or general audiences. I think that there is no such thing as a perfect film. There are bad things in every great movie and good things in every terrible one. There are, however, films that come close enough to the concept of perfection that I am willing to overlook the small nitpicks and consider it perfect. One of those films is Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane. This film is considered not only perfect, but one of the best ever made, and for pretty good reason.
Citizen Kane is directed by Orson Welles in which he also stars alongside Joseph Cotton, Dorothy Comingore, Everett Sloane, William Alland, Ray Collins, and Agnes Moorhead. The film follows the death of media mogul Charles Foster Kane (Welles), who was the richest man in the world. The last word he utters – “rosebud”- prompts a reporter (Alland) to search for the meaning of the word, hoping to gain new insight into this legendary figure. As he interviews figures from Kane’s past, we see fragments of his life not seen by the public, giving new meaning to his large and extravagant life.
We often strive for greatness in our lives, but we rarely ever ask what makes us want to do these great things. Citizen Kane askes such a question, as it is a remarkable character study of a man who wanted nothing but greatness. It explores the complexities of success, the pros and cons of such a thing, and the small, seemingly insignificant details of life that may actually be the key to what drives us. While the film may be of epic proportions, it is an intimate character study and provides the audience with more insight into Kane’s mind the more they look. The story also examines other ideas and concepts that are just as relevant now as they were then. These include the obsession with the celebrity image, American politics, and the manipulation of the media.
The key ingredient that holds it together, however, is its director, producer, actor Orson Welles. Before Welles came to Hollywood, most of the films being produced by the studio system were becoming stale. Welles brings a certain artistry to the film that had rarely been seen before in the US, showing that the director can elevate a movie beyond being a product to get people into cinemas. You can see that artistry in the way Welles uses the camera to achieve maximum beauty out of nearly every scene. The lighting and camerawork of the film have aged like fine wine and is just as impressive now as it was all those decades ago. Without the artistic flare of Welles, it is likely that the film would be the staple of cinema it is today.
While Welles added a lot to the film to make it special, he was already in a good spot thanks to the film’s unique screenplay. Co-written by Welles and Herman Mankiewicz, the thing that set the story apart from other films of the time was not the story itself, but rather how it was told. While not the first film to do so, it was the first major release to utilize a non-linear approach to its story. While somewhat common today, this approach was radically different from other films at the time. The way that the film jumps across different time periods in Kane’s life creates a puzzle for the audience to piece together and makes for a much more engaging viewing experience. The film is also perfectly paced by editor Robert Wise, making the scenes long enough to show what needs to be shown while never overstaying its welcome. Thanks to this non-linear structure and excellent editing, it feels as if you have watched Kane over his whole life rather than two hours.
The performances also feel more real from other films produced around the time. While there are still remnants of the period in terms of acting, most of the performances feel grounded and realistic with just the right amount of over-the-top moments one would expect from a film of the time. Welles turns in a great performance as Kane, drawing from his theater background while also providing some great nuances that help make this larger-than-life character feel more human. Also good are Joseph Cotton and Dorothy Comingore as Kane’s life-long friend and mistress respectively. All in all, these terrific performances are icing on the cake for this technically perfect film.
Perfection is a word that I will rarely use when discussing film, but with a film like Citizen Kane, I am willing to make an exception. The film was a trailblazer when it first premiered, pioneering such techniques as non-linear storytelling, and advanced camera and lighting techniques that are still used to this day. It also has some great and realistic performances for the time, adding a great layer of humanity to its universal themes and ideas. While I am not the first to say it, and certainly not the last, Citizen Kane is one of the best films ever made.
10/10