September 19, 2003
Citizen Kane
I just saw Citizen Kane as part of the classic movies series at the Orpheum. WOW. I can instantly see why this movie has become a classic. The camera shots are impressive now, and I can only assume that they were nigh revolutionary in 1941. The things he does with light and dark, I'm not even sure they're possible in colour.
And not only did Orson Welles star in it, he also wrote and directed it---having only been in three movies previously, one as an uncredited voice actor! Even more impressive is that for much of the movie the main character is middle-aged or older, and Welles pulled off the whole thing at the tender age of 25. Amazing makeup work there; it's only when C.F. Kane is at his very oldest that the age makeup is obvious, and even then it's not distracting. More importantly, though, he pulls off believably acting middle-aged. While watching the movie, I was trying to figure out how they made him up young for the bits where he was in his twenties.
For that matter, most of the actors in this movie were newcomers to the silver screen---including a few that went on to lengthy distinguished acting careers. And you can see why.
So yeah, if you haven't seen it, go do so, right now. It's even fairly topical!
"Genes don't say "eek!" They mostly just sit there and be transcribed." --David Singleton
Posted by blahedo at 9:48pm on 19 Sep 2003