Rosebud Revisited
A Comprehensive Analysis of 'Citizen Kane' and the Unscripted Drama Behind its Scenes
If I absolutely HAD to choose the most important movie in American history, it would be Citizen Kane. Directed by Orson Welles and released in 1941, it's often heralded as one of the greatest films ever. Groundbreaking in its narrative structure and technical achievements, the film has earned its place as an iconic piece of cinematic history because it so poetically expressed how the American Way can just as easily engender corruption as it does innovation.
The film unfolds as a series of flashbacks and varying perspectives, all of which aim to uncover the meaning behind the final word of Charles Foster Kane: "Rosebud." Kane, a newspaper tycoon, and public figure, rises from poverty to immense wealth but ultimately faces loneliness and disillusionment.
The Story… (SPOILERS)
Citizen Kane begins with the death of Charles Foster Kane, a wealthy newspaper magnate, in his sprawling Florida estate, Xanadu. With his last breath, he utters the word "Rosebud." This enigmatic final word becomes the focus of newsreel journalist Jerry Thompson, who aims to uncover its meaning, hoping it will shed light on the inner life of the reclusive Kane.
Throughout the film, Thompson interviews people from Kane's life to decode the significance of "Rosebud." These interviews are presented as a series of flashbacks, providing a fragmented and multi-faceted picture of Kane's life.
Kane's story starts in Colorado. The discovery of a gold mine on his parents' property makes the young Kane incredibly wealthy. He's then sent away by his parents to be raised by Walter Parks Thatcher, a banker who ensures a proper education but deprives him of a family's love.
As a young man, Kane takes over a struggling New York newspaper, the New York Inquirer. He introduces sensationalist journalism, which boosts the paper's popularity but draws criticism for its lack of integrity. Kane's motto, "to provide the people with the truth and the knowledge of the truth," gradually becomes more about power and influence.
Kane marries Emily Norton, a president's niece. They have a son, but over time, the marriage becomes strained. Kane has an affair with Susan Alexander, a young singer. When the affair becomes public, it leads to a scandal, ending his political ambitions and his marriage to Emily.
Kane marries Susan Alexander and, to make her an opera star, builds an opera house in Chicago. Despite his efforts, she's unsuccessful, leading to public humiliation and growing resentment.
Over time, Kane's influence wanes. He loses control of his newspaper empire and becomes increasingly isolated. Susan leaves him, leaving him alone in Xanadu with his vast wealth.
In the end, Thompson cannot discover the meaning of "Rosebud." It's only revealed to the audience in the final scenes: "Rosebud" is the name on a sled from Kane's childhood, burned in the furnaces of Xanadu. This sled symbolizes the lost innocence and happiness of Kane's childhood — a time before the complexities of wealth, power, and public life took their toll.
The brilliance of Citizen Kane lies in portraying a man's life from multiple perspectives, revealing the complexities and contradictions inherent in human nature. While Kane achieves immense power and wealth, he struggles with isolation and longing, and "Rosebud" embodies the simplicity and genuine happiness that eludes him throughout his life.
Production
Citizen Kane is notable not just for its storytelling but also for its innovative production techniques:
- **Deep Focus**: One of the film’s groundbreaking techniques is using deep focus. This technique allowed for the foreground and background to remain focused, allowing for more nuanced storytelling.
- **Non-Linear Narrative**: Instead of a straightforward chronology, the story is told from various perspectives and moments, making the viewer piece together the complex jigsaw of Kane's life.
- **Sound**: Welles used sound innovatively, overlapping dialogues, and varying auditory cues to enhance the story.
In 1971, film critic Pauline Kael wrote an essay titled "Raising Kane" for The New Yorker, arguing that the film’s screenwriter, Herman J. Mankiewicz, deserved more credit than he had received. This essay sparked controversy. Kael suggested that Mankiewicz's contributions to the script were significant, implying that he was the primary creative force behind the screenplay, while Welles's contributions were minimal.
Welles was known to have been upset about Kael's assertions in her essay. Many subsequent scholars and critics have delved into this issue, with most agreeing that Welles and Mankiewicz made significant contributions.
It's widely speculated that Charles Foster Kane was based on the real-life media mogul William Randolph Hearst. The similarities between Hearst's life and Kane's — from their vast media empires to their opulent homes — are hard to ignore. Susan Alexander's character also parallels Hearst's partner, Marion Davies, though many argue that the film does her a disservice, portraying her as less talented than she was.
Given the parallels between Kane and Hearst, it’s unsurprising that Hearst was not a fan. Hearst prohibited any mention of the film in his newspapers. Hearst's media empire attempted to undermine the film, from trying to halt its release to smearing Welles's reputation. Despite these efforts, the film was released and celebrated for its brilliance.
Citizen Kane remains a masterclass in filmmaking. While the controversies surrounding its creation add to its mystique, the film's enduring themes and pioneering techniques have cemented its place in cinematic history. And yet, it won only one Oscar. The film’s perceived attack on Hearst might have influenced its snub in other categories.
In delving deep into the history, nuances, and controversies surrounding Citizen Kane, it becomes evident why this film remains a significant touchstone in cinema. Its legacy endures, and its influence on filmmaking is indisputable. As for “Rosebud”? It remains one of cinema's most debated mysteries. While its meaning is revealed in the film's conclusion, speculation about its real-life inspiration has included everything from Hearst's nickname for a part of Davies's anatomy to a childhood sled of Orson Welles.
Which do you think?