Citizen Kane Explained | Everything YOU Missed!

Citizen Kane Explained | Everything YOU Missed!
What is Citizen Kane about? What's Rosebud? And why does it matter? In this video, I'll explain Citizen Kane in detail!
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Citizen Kane Explained | The Meaning of Rosebud
The plot of Citizen Kane all revolves around one word: “Rosebud.”
But what does Rosebud mean? And what is Citizen Kane really about? I’ll explain.
Citizen Kane's opening sequence is part of that unique and formidable filmmaking style. And this is where the mystery of Citizen Kane is introduced. Kane had a snow globe in his hands when he uttered his final word: “Rosebud.”
In order to discover who Charles Foster Kane really was, Thompson heads out to gather information from people who knew Kane best:
Susan Alexander, Kane’s second wife
Mr. Thatcher’s diary-Thatcher was Kane’s legal guardian and sort of a business mentor to him
Mr. Bernstein, one of Kane’s business partners
Jedediah Leland, one of Kane’s only friends and another business partner of his
And finally, Thompson will go straight to Xanadu to interview Kane’s butler…
Here’s what we learn from Thatcher’s diary: Kane’s fortune initially came from a Colorado Mining operation. The critical aspects of this flashback are: young Charles seems carefree and joyous as he plays in the snow with his sled.
Thatcher’s diary jumps ahead to reveal that Kane is now twenty-five years old and now eligible to start receiving his fortune.
Kane takes over the paper with Jedidiah Leland and Mr. Bernstein as his business associates. We learn that Kane wants to turn the Inquirer into something that sounds a lot more like a tabloid.
Kane has a huge surprise to share: he’s now engaged to Emily Norton, the niece of the U.S. president. Maybe one day he can be president.
Thompson goes to chat with Jedidiah Leland.
Leland tells Thompson that Charles Foster Kane was only ever out for himself. At this point in the film, everything starts to shift. The remaining part of the story reveals how Kane lost everything. Here’s how it happens:
Emily divorces Kane, who loses the election. When Kane loses the election, the Inquirer’s front page alleges fraud.
After losing the election, Kane marries Susan Alexander.
Thompson then goes back to Susan Alexander to see if she knows anything about Rosebud. Susan continues the flashbacks where Leland left off…
I think Susan divorcing Kane is Plot Point 2, which forces the story to move toward its inevitable resolution, which we saw all the way back at the beginning of the film. Charles Foster Kane will die alone inside his bedroom at Xanadu.
At the start of Act 3, Kane is now alone within the vast walls of Xanadu and has lost everything.
All right, now let’s unravel the mystery that Thompson never solves. Why did Charles Foster Kane-Citizen Kane-say the word “Rosebud” on his deathbed. Here’s my take:
The most pivotal moment in Kane’s life was when his mother and father became wealthy. At that moment, thinking they were making the right decision, they gave their son over to Thatcher.
That was the moment where Kane lost control.
For the remainder of his life, Kane tries to control his own destiny. He uses people and destroys relationships to maintain that control. And as his power and influence grows, he sees more opportunities to take control.
But ultimately, that quest for control will drive his most valued relationships away from him, leaving him alone with the things he’s accumulated.
But in the end, he remembers a time in his life when things were good. When he laughed and played in the snow with his sled, Rosebud.
The ultimate premise of Citizen Kane is that the ruthless pursuit of control devours one’s soul and crushes one’s relationships.
Does Citizen Kane hold up all these years later? I think so. It does feel slow in places, but overall Citizen Kane made its mark on Hollywood for generations to come, and definitely deserves attention for doing so.

[@ModernMouse]

You missed your calling as a News Reel announcer Jay

[@HowStoriesWork]

If talking in an Atlantic accent and reading the news was still a thing… I’d be up for it. As someone who recently watched the film, what do you think of my ultimate take?

[@ModernMouse]

@@HowStoriesWork I do think that it's about Kane's longing for a simpler life. In terms of story, it's a fascinating look at how wealth and power don't equal happiness. I would agree that there are themes about control within the text. Having viewed it for the first time a few weeks back, it is an interesting enough film to revisit and dig deeper into now that I know a few of the beats.