Citizen Kane (1941)

Citizen Kane (1941), directed by and starring Orson Welles, is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. Its story is a compelling exploration of power, ambition, and the elusive nature of happiness.The film begins with the death of Charles Foster Kane (played by Welles), a wealthy newspaper magnate, in his opulent mansion, Xanadu. Kane’s final word, “Rosebud,” becomes the central mystery of the movie. A journalist, Jerry Thompson, is tasked with uncovering the meaning of “Rosebud” in the hopes of understanding Kane’s life and legacy.

Thompson interviews people who knew Kane and reviews archival records, piecing together the story of Kane’s rise and fall. Kane was taken from his humble beginnings in a poor household after a gold mine owned by his parents unexpectedly made them wealthy. He was raised by a wealthy banker, Walter Parks Thatcher, and grew up to become a charismatic, ambitious man.

Kane enters the newspaper business, taking control of the New York Inquirer. He builds a media empire, using sensationalist tactics to attract readers. He becomes enormously influential, using his newspapers to sway public opinion and promote his own political ambitions. However, his insatiable need for control and power alienates those closest to him.

Kane marries twice, but both relationships end disastrously. His first wife, Emily Norton, the niece of a U.S. president, divorces him after his public affair with Susan Alexander, a singer. Kane marries Susan, but their relationship deteriorates as he tries to force her into a career as an opera singer, despite her lack of talent or interest. Susan eventually leaves him, unable to endure his domineering ways.

As Kane’s personal life collapses, so does his empire. He becomes a reclusive figure, living alone in his vast, unfinished mansion filled with countless possessions. Despite his material wealth, Kane’s life is ultimately defined by loneliness and regret.

In the film’s poignant conclusion, the mystery of “Rosebud” is revealed to the audience but not to the characters. It is the name of Kane’s childhood sled, which symbolizes the innocence and happiness he lost when he was taken from his home. The sled is unceremoniously burned in a furnace along with other belongings as the camera lingers on the flames, underscoring the futility of Kane’s lifelong quest for fulfillment.

Citizen Kane is celebrated for its innovative storytelling, deep character exploration, and groundbreaking cinematic techniques, including its use of deep focus, low-angle shots, and nonlinear narrative structure.