Citizen Kane Review

Citizen Kane was an exciting film, not modern day Michael Bay exciting, but for the time it was thought provoking and very technologically advanced. Orson Welles made quite a splash in the film world with his camera techniques. He used many fades and different transitions to give the film more depth. Wipes were used to transition a sequence of shots in which Kane and his first wife were having meals at one of their many tables. The wipes were meant to show the passage of time, in correlation with the costumes that the two characters wore, as well as their makeup. But, the special effects can only make up so much of the film. This isn't Gravity. The main plot follows a reporter who wishes to get a better understanding of the meaning of "Rosebud", Kane's last words. He travels to see many of Kane's old friends and lovers, and they tell the story of Kane's life and what they think Rosebud might be through flash backs. This is why special effects and make up were crucial for Citizen Kane. Without it the actors would just look stupid, trying to play older versions of themselves. The audience would also be confused as to what time period they were in. Thankfully, this wasn't the case, and Citizen Kane was a delightful success. A must watch film classic.