Rosebud

                The movie Citizen Kane was first released in 1941. The first time that I watched this movie I did not think much of it. This time around was completely different. This dramatic tragedy is one for the ages. Most of Charles Foster Kane’s story is told in flashback. This was very different than any other movie of this time. When the movie opens up you see Kane on his death bed say his last words. “Rosebud” was Charles last words, which is important to remember throughout the rest of the movie. After the death of Kane reporters are trying to figure out what Rosebud really means. They go to his closest friends and his second ex-wife who was still living. During this time the movie pops back and forth from flashback to real time. After attempting to talk to everyone that was close to Kane reporters finally give up. They never figure out what Rosebud really means, but in the end you will. This is a great story displaying the fact that money is not everything. You could have all the money in the world, but you could be the loneliest person.  Charles Foster Kane is played by Orson Welles who also is the director and producer of this film. Welles is a brilliant Kane. He displays every aspect of being a wealthy main of this time period. He is proper and loves to buy anything that he can get his hands on. The tone of voice and the use of body movement also shows the view that he is in power over most other actors in this film.  Dorothy Comingore plays Susan Alexander Kane, Kane’s second wife. Comingore shows a great deal of emotion throughout the film. She projects the way she speaks and feels into the audience. They most powerful time you see her like this is after the passing of Charles and she is in the bar she runs drinking constantly. She cannot talk to the reporters because she is so distraught. There are many other actors such as Joseph Cotton, Agnes Moorehead, and Ray Collins. Along with others who make the movie what it is. They are seeing their purpose of their character and make it believable. The thing that makes this movie stand out the most is its structure. The way that Welles uses flashback makes the movie interesting instead of leading you along the dramatic life of Charles Foster Kane. The audience gets to hear about what has happened in his life, and then gets the opportunity to see it. This allows the film to slowly progress all the way into its dramatic ending. The lighting in this film played a key role in how the audience would feel during a scene. When you saw Kane a lot of the time it would be dark around him that gives you the feel that he is sad and alone, but when he was around his wives, or running for office you could tell that he was happier. The scene would get brighter the happier that Kane would appear to be. These are all great things that played a key role in how successful this movie has become. This film will keep you guessing. Everyone should want to know what Rosebud is because everyone has their own Rosebud.