Citizen Kane

Dubbed ‘the greatest film ever’ by countless critics and audiences, Citizen Kane is highly regarded.

The film tells the story of Charles Foster Kane, a megalomaniacal and incredibly rich newspaper editor whose dying word ‘Rosebud’ prompts investigation from a journalist named Thompson.

Desperate to get to the meaning behind this vague word, Thompson sets about interviewing many of Kane’s friends and acquaintances, as well placed flashbacks give depth and context to the unfolding storyline.

Despite being 70 years old, the film still packs a punch. Even today, few would doubt the innovative cinematography, and narrative structure of the film.

Citizen Kane has quite rightly been described as a “visual masterpiece”, but when you scrape beneath the well filmed surface, it becomes clear the overall plot is disappointing and doesn’t hold the viewer’s interest.

Overall Citizen Kane well worth a watch, but perhaps it’s time for the film to lose its ‘best film ever’ connotation? Even classics can be improved on.

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