Analysis of Citizen Kane

Analysis of Citizen Kane

At the age of twenty-five, Orson Welles produced, co-wrote, directed, and starred in the film, Citizen Kane. Although it was a commercial failure, it was nominated for nine Academy Awards (winning one for writing) and was declared the number one movie of all time by the American Film Institute in 1998. This controversial film is said to be based on the real-life American icon and newspaper tycoon, William Randolph Hearst. America’s supposed number one movie may better be understood by taking a closer and more intimate look at the film’s conflicts, characters, and theme.

No film is complete without an intriguing conflict, and Citizen Kane is no exception. Wealthy newspaper tycoon, Charles Foster Kane faces an internal battle with himself in his constant search for the happiness that he lost as a child; however, he also has an external battle