Citizen Kane

Citizen Kane is known as the greatest film ever, and justifiably so. In virtually every department, Citizen Kane redefined the medium. First, the story is nonlinear, which still influences current filmmakers like Tarantino and Nolan. The script is tragic, relatable, and detailed, but its structure makes it groundbreaking. No character gets to fully know Charles Kane, but the audience sees several perspectives and is left to decide. The acting underscores these perspectives by presenting believable evolutions in each role. Orson Welles exemplifies this by showing a young idealist turn into a jaded cynic through a realistic progression.

Next, the cinematography is iconic because the focus is extremely deep (like the human eye), the camerawork is dynamic (combining several shots into continuous takes), the lighting is stark, and the composition is complex (utilizing the simultaneously focused foreground and background). The editing employs captivating montages, layered imagery, and seamless match cuts. The audio blends dialogue with symbolic sounds and uses echoes to heighten isolation. The amplified sets and costumes emphasize themes. Finally, the special effects use projections, matte paintings, split screens, and make-up to assist the atmosphere. Indeed, Citizen Kane is a complete symphony of craft.

Writing: 10/10

Direction: 10/10

Cinematography: 10/10

Acting: 10/10

Editing: 10/10

Sound: 10/10

Score/Soundtrack: 9/10

Production Design: 10/10

Casting: 10/10

Effects: 10/10

Overall Score: 9.9/10