Will Mennie

Bauks

Film Analysis

2/27/13

Shadows of Citizen Kane

      While watching the well-known classic, Citizen Kane, the inventive use of shadows was used to create the perfect feel in each scene. Unlike in Casablanca, where shadows were used as simpler plot devices, Citizen Kane used them to convey a deeper meaning. As shadows are nothing more than a lack of light, Orson Wells was able to use shadows to display a lack of something else. For example, in one of the later scenes in which Kane and Susan are arguing, and right when Kane’s shadow swallows her entire figure, she stops fighting. It was as if he took away her power/authority to bitch at him just by casting a shadow over her. Another example would be any scene with The Reporters. I capitalize that because in the film, the reporters seem to act as a single character. Anyway, The Reporters are unified by one feature – none of them have distinct faces, just ominous shadows cast by their fedoras. In the beginning of the film, I figured this meant that they were shady a character, or would somehow play the antagonist, however the only significance it seemed to have was just to express their lack of individuality.