Citizen Kane (1941)

From Summa Bergania

In my humble opinion, the twist ending is nowhere near its legendary reputation. What this movie does exceptionally well is show us the prison of selfishness, the Hell of having all we want and not enjoying any of it. I see the story of Citizen Kane as one long chapter that belongs in C.S. Lewis's The Great Divorce (which, by the way, is the greatest book I have ever read outside the Bible). Taken as a sermon, the movie sparkles with so many little parables that show how money, privilege, and razzle-dazzle can't purchase the joy or love Kane actually wants (ie the no trespassing sign, the empty house filled with statues, the business friend tearing up the original contract, building an opera house to try to make his wife a star, etc.). After all that symbolism dissecting the true purpose of life, it was a let down to find that the story was all about a sled.

• David: 3 Stars