Citizen Kane is a film that has, over the years, attained an almost mythical status in the annals of cinema. Directed by Orson Welles, who also co-wrote the screenplay and starred as the eponymous lead, the film has been hailed as a masterpiece since its release in 1941. Often cited as the greatest film ever made, Citizen Kane is a tour de force of storytelling, acting, and innovative filmmaking techniques. This review will delve into the various aspects of Citizen Kane that make it a seminal work in the history of cinema, examining its narrative structure, visual style, thematic depth, and enduring legacy.
Narrative Structure: A Revolutionary Approach
One of the most striking aspects of Citizen Kane is its innovative narrative structure. The film opens with the death of Charles Foster Kane, a reclusive newspaper magnate, who utters the word "Rosebud" with his last breath. This enigmatic word becomes the catalyst for the film's plot, as a reporter named Thompson (William Alland) sets out to uncover the meaning of Kane’s dying word.
The story of Kane’s life is told through a series of flashbacks, each narrated by a different person who knew him. These flashbacks are presented in a non-linear fashion, allowing the audience to piece together the puzzle of Kane’s life from multiple perspectives. This fragmented approach to storytelling was groundbreaking at the time and remains one of the film’s most distinctive features. It allows the audience to see Kane not as a single, coherent character but as a complex and multifaceted figure whose true nature is elusive and ultimately unknowable.
The use of multiple narrators also underscores the theme of the subjectivity of memory and the impossibility of truly knowing another person. Each narrator brings their own biases and perspectives to their recollections of Kane, creating a portrait that is as much about the narrators themselves as it is about Kane. This narrative technique forces the audience to actively engage with the film, questioning the reliability of each narrator and piecing together the story from the disparate fragments they provide.
Visual Style: A Cinematic Revolution
Citizen Kane is renowned for its innovative visual style, which has had a profound influence on the language of cinema. Cinematographer Gregg Toland’s use of deep focus, in which both the foreground and background are in sharp focus, was a revolutionary technique that allowed Welles to create complex, layered compositions. This visual style is evident in many of the film’s most iconic scenes, such as the shot of young Kane playing in the snow outside his parents’ home, framed by the window through which his parents and a lawyer discuss his future. The deep focus allows the audience to see both the innocence of Kane’s childhood and the forces that will shape his destiny within a single shot.
The use of low-angle shots, another hallmark of the film’s visual style, serves to emphasize the power and dominance of Kane as a character. These shots often show Kane towering over the camera, reinforcing his larger-than-life presence and the sense of his looming influence over the world around him. The cinematography also makes extensive use of chiaroscuro lighting, with stark contrasts between light and shadow, to create a mood of mystery and ambiguity that reflects the film’s themes.
In addition to its innovative use of cinematography, Citizen Kane also broke new ground in the use of sound and editing. Welles, who came from a background in radio, brought a keen ear for sound design to the film, using overlapping dialogue and innovative sound effects to create a rich auditory landscape. The editing, too, was ahead of its time, employing techniques such as jump cuts, montage sequences, and match cuts to create a dynamic and fluid narrative that moves seamlessly between different time periods and perspectives.
Themes: The Elusiveness of Truth and the Corruption of Power
At its core, Citizen Kane is a meditation on the nature of power, wealth, and the American Dream. Charles Foster Kane is a man who seemingly has it all—money, influence, and a vast media empire—yet he dies alone in his sprawling mansion, isolated from the world and haunted by memories of a lost childhood. The film explores the ways in which Kane’s insatiable desire for control and validation ultimately leads to his downfall, as he alienates everyone around him in his quest for power.
The theme of the elusiveness of truth is central to the film’s narrative structure. As Thompson interviews various people from Kane’s life, each offers a different perspective on who Kane was and what motivated him. Some see him as a benevolent philanthropist, while others view him as a ruthless tyrant. The truth about Kane remains tantalizingly out of reach, with the meaning of "Rosebud" providing a final, ambiguous clue to the mystery of his character. The film suggests that the essence of a person cannot be fully captured by any one perspective or narrative, and that the truth is often more complex and multifaceted than we might like to believe.
The film also explores the theme of the corrupting influence of power. Kane’s rise to power is marked by a series of moral compromises and betrayals, as he sacrifices personal relationships and ethical principles in his pursuit of success. His eventual downfall is a result of his hubris and inability to recognize the limits of his power. The film portrays the American Dream as a double-edged sword, offering the promise of success and fulfillment, but also the potential for moral decay and spiritual emptiness.
Performances: Orson Welles and an Ensemble Cast
Orson Welles’ performance as Charles Foster Kane is one of the most celebrated aspects of Citizen Kane. Welles, who was only 25 years old at the time, delivers a commanding and nuanced performance that captures the complexity of Kane’s character. He portrays Kane as both a charismatic and ruthless figure, capable of great charm and deep cruelty. Welles’ ability to convey the passage of time through subtle changes in his voice, posture, and demeanor is particularly impressive, as he convincingly portrays Kane at various stages of his life, from an ambitious young man to a broken and embittered old man.
The supporting cast, many of whom were members of Welles’ Mercury Theatre company, also deliver strong performances. Joseph Cotten, as Kane’s loyal friend Jedediah Leland, provides a poignant counterpoint to Kane’s character, embodying the voice of conscience and moral integrity that Kane increasingly ignores. Dorothy Comingore, as Kane’s second wife Susan Alexander, gives a powerful performance as a woman who is both a victim of Kane’s manipulation and a symbol of his inability to find true happiness.
Everett Sloane, Agnes Moorehead, and Ray Collins also contribute memorable performances, each adding depth and nuance to the film’s portrayal of Kane’s world. The ensemble cast works together seamlessly, creating a rich tapestry of characters that enhances the film’s exploration of its themes.
Legacy: The Enduring Influence of Citizen Kane
Since its release, Citizen Kane has been the subject of countless analyses, debates, and tributes. Its influence can be seen in the work of filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Christopher Nolan, who have all cited Citizen Kane as a major influence on their own work. The film’s innovations in narrative structure, cinematography, sound design, and editing have become foundational elements of modern filmmaking, and its themes of power, identity, and the elusiveness of truth continue to resonate with audiences today.
Despite its critical acclaim, Citizen Kane was not a commercial success upon its initial release. The film’s complex narrative structure and unconventional style were challenging for audiences at the time, and its thinly veiled critique of media mogul William Randolph Hearst led to a campaign to suppress the film’s distribution. However, over the years, Citizen Kane has been reevaluated and celebrated as a masterpiece, and it has consistently topped lists of the greatest films ever made.
The film’s enduring legacy is a testament to its timelessness and the universality of its themes. Citizen Kane is not just a film about a man’s rise and fall; it is a profound exploration of the human condition, the nature of power, and the complexities of identity. It is a film that invites repeated viewings and rewards deep contemplation, offering new insights with each revisit.
Conclusion: A Masterpiece for the Ages
Citizen Kane is more than just a film; it is a landmark in the history of cinema. Orson Welles’ bold vision and innovative approach to filmmaking have left an indelible mark on the medium, influencing generations of filmmakers and shaping the way we think about storytelling in film. The film’s complex narrative structure, groundbreaking visual style, and rich thematic content make it a work of enduring significance.
As a meditation on the nature of power, the corrupting influence of wealth, and the elusiveness of truth, Citizen Kane remains as relevant today as it was in 1941. It is a film that challenges its audience to think critically, to question the narratives we are presented with, and to consider the ways in which our own lives are shaped by the forces of power and ambition. In the pantheon of great films, Citizen Kane stands tall as a masterpiece for the ages, a work of art that continues to inspire, provoke, and captivate audiences around the world.