Jocelyn Hetrick's blog on Citizen Kane

Overall Citizen Kane was an alright film. The technical aspects were very good, but the story did not hold my attention. I was disappointed because after I heard that “Rosebud Mining”, which is a mining company in my hometown, was named after the film I was interested to see it. However, it was extremely long and did not have to be. If it was shortened I think the overall effect of the film would have been better appreciated and understood.

                The opening of the film was very intriguing and well put together. Dirks write it well when he says “the subjective and curious camera…violates the ‘No Trespassing’ sign” when it continues through the parts of the ground getting closer and closer to the castle. I like the dissolving of the scenes to get closer and closer to the castle. I think it gives it a more mysterious and interesting sense. The director could of simply kept cutting and cutting until it got to the castle, but that would not have given the same sense of mystery and curiosity.

The segment with the “News on the March” added an aspect of realism and pulls the audience into the film. As Giannetti says “ an actor speaking through an echo chamber suggest visual context,” which is what the “News on the March” does. It gives the audience a further look into the story line without showing the whole story.

The movie was pretty good, however, it could have been much better if the story was condensed more to hold the audience’s attention and curiosity. I do understand it being on the best film lists for decades because of the flawless composition, commentary, editing, and other technical aspects.