I thought that "Citizen Kane" was a classic film with many aspects of the language of film that would later be reproduced. One example I thought was the most prevalent was the crane. The opening and closing scenes of the Xanadu estate, and also the scene of Mr. Leland's perspective of Susan singing both displayed the crane. The estate scene's crane effect was very influential to me because it showed how cut off Xanadu is from society from all the fencing that there is. The audience feels lonely just watching it. Also, later in the movie Susan complains how lonely she is and that she wants to go back to New York. The opening and closing scenes' long shots show how immense the estate is, but the crane effect shows how "empty" it actually is. It may be huge, but it is really empty to Susan and deep down it is for Kane too. Then the second influential crane is when Susan is singing. The camera initially focused on Susan while she was singing, but then slowly craned up. It went up past the curtains and scaffolding, to the catwalk where two men made gestures that the song was horrible. All in all I think the crane effect played an important role in the movie and shouldn't be overlooked.
Lastly, I'd like to talk about Rosebud. First of all, in the final scene of the movie the reporter proclaims that no man can be characterized by one word. Clearly this is a much debated topic, and I feel that a lot of people would say that's true. On the other hand I have a counter argument. When Susan leaves Kane, he goes into a fury. He destroys everything in her room leaving nothing untouched. However, Kane does not destroy one thing, the snow globe. He sees the globe and whispers to himself "Rosebud". I think Susan's room is representative of all of Kane's possesions. He doesn't care about anything in his life, just about Rosebud (or the snowglobe that reminds him of it). Although Rosebud doesn't really describe Kane, the significance of it is really all that he cares about. The memory of his old home that the snowglobe and sled reminded him of, was all that he cared about. By destroying all of her room, he says all he cares about is his old rural home. Kane would give it all up for that.
5 comments:
I do agree with the importance of the crane movement and the meaning of rosebud. Yes each one is effective in their own way. Good in-depth description of both. What i do not agree with though is the part about you saying that he didn't care about anything in his life. He did but I guess they weren't as important as the snowglobe.
Rosebud is quite significant to the story, and I think it does define his life like you said. However, I think the debate of whether someone can be defined by one word is quite easily answerable.
Whether someone can be defined by one word is determinded by how deep their life goes. Kane's life was simple and selfish, so he would be able to be defined by one word, where as someone else who has a more colorful life would be defined by more.
I somewhat disagree with the last comment.
Just because Kane is shallow doesn't mean that his entire life can be deemed "simple," and can be summed up by one word.
I would agree that kane is shallow, therefore HE can be characterized as simple, but not his entire LIFE.
The word Rosebud merely represents one aspect of Kane's life.
I guess i'm trying to say that Kane's life and Kane himself are on two completely different levels.
(if that makes any sense)
Andrew. I was very intrigued with your post about both the camera and its importance, and also about your theory about Rosebud. Even though I don't necessarily agree with your theory, I think it's interesting and something we should get together and talk about.
I think the cranemovemnet and rosebud were very important in the film. you explained your thoughts well andrew and i would like to talk aboutt roesbud too.
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