Tragedy of Ambition

Tragedy of Ambition

Tragedy of Ambition

Citizen Kane was Orson Welles's first film. Herman J. Mankiewicz wrote the script, but how much Welles and John Houseman contributed remains a matter for conjecture. Most of the cast were known to Welles from his stage and radio work, but with the exception of George Coulouris, they were not familiar faces on film. The 1941 premiere took place to general critical acclaim. Bosley Crowther of the New York Times shared this enthusiasm: For, in spite of some disconcerting lapses and strange ambiguities in the creation of the principal character, Citizen Kane is far and away the most surprising and cinematically exciting motion picture to be seen here in many a moon.

As a matter of fact, it comes close to being the most sensational film ever made in Hollywood.' Doubts soon emerged, typified by Crowther's response two days after his first review. He still felt that the film was surpassingly magnificent technically, But this corner is inclined to suspect that the enthusiasm with which Mr. Welles made the film, the natural bent of a first class showman toward eloquent and dramatic effects - rather worked against the logic of his story.' Richard Griffith of the Los Angeles Times was less restrained: Though the attempt is praiseworthy, the results are shockingly unsatisfying.' The critical response in Britain was favorable. For the correspondent of The Times, The rare distinction of having made a film entitled to rank as a work of art belongs almost exclusively to the director, Mr. Orson Welles.' Dilys Powell concurred: this is an adult film, technically and psychologically adult, recognizing the ultimate obscurity in which every human life moves; one of the few, the very few, films to present not an abstraction, but a man.'

The film was by hit by scandal long before it opened because of alleged similarities between Kane's story and that of the newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. The controversy gave the film a whiff of notoriety for audiences, though it may have colored some reviews as well as limiting exhibition: Hearst's power was such that some cinemas in America booked the film but never screened it. If this had an adverse effect on box-office receipts, it does not fully explain the public's disinterest in Citizen Kane beyond metropolitan centers. The film had lost US$150,000 by the time RKO withdrew it from domestic circulation in 1942. British audiences were also indifferent, though the film had a better public reception in France after the Occupation.

The revival of interest in Citizen Kane began in 1955, when RKO sold the television rights to its film library and Welles's film was widely seen. It headed Sight and Sound's list of best films in 1962 and has maintained that position. Roger Ebert is representative of recent critical opinion: Its surface is as much fun as any movie ever made. Its depths surpass understanding. The more clearly I can see its physical manifestation, the more I am stirred by its mystery.' This view is not limited to critics, given that Citizen Kane ranks twenty-fourth among the top 250 films in the IMDb ratings.

Something about a film made more than sixty years ago still fascinates critics and public alike. So don't miss to watch this incredible movie.

By: Francis Davidhttp://www.articlesbase.com/movies-articles/tragedy-of-ambition-3668180.html

POST COMMENT

Savourez Polo Porter Exotiques Cowboys' Tony Romo has borders as NFC East's Best Quarterback Permanent Makeup For That Perfect Look David Carr, Your Mittens Are Calling EcoPCO Emulsifier is surely the Best Way of Stopping Insect Infestation Men Only Have Suit? Of Course Not! Southwest Antler Lamps For Your Ranch Or Cabin Keep You Away From Cold Purse Hook Cheap Contracts - Do Not Imagine, Just Buy Cost Segregation - Why isn't my CPA already doing this? Important Things You Should Know About Propane Tanks Tenancy Cleaning - The Shocking Things They Leave Behind