Vickie_M

I'd probably seen bits and pieces of this film dozens of times while growing up. I'd tried to watch it all the way through at least 4-5 times, especally after it came out on videotape. I hate to admit this, but it never struck me as anything other than boring as hell. I never made it very far in before my brain shut down and I was crying out for something more "interesting".

Then...

I'd guess it was the 50th(?) Anniversary release, when a new and restored print was shown in theaters. I decided I'd give it one last chance. I KNEW it was considered the best film of all time by several critics and people I admire and respect, and I knew the problem was with me, and had nothing to do with the film itself. I figured that if seeing it in the theater didn't do it for me, I'd likely never get it.

Oh. My. God.

Seeing it on the big screen, with no distractions and not having the choice to turn it off the second it became "boring" to me made all the difference in the world. I was engrossed by the characters, story, dialogue and the look of the film. By the time it was over, I fully understood **WHY it's so often listed as (or among) the very best. (Well, maybe not "fully" because I only have dim knowledge of film history and the filmmaking innovations Welles used or perfected).

I always say that no one can fully appreciate how great 2001: A Space Odyssey is if they haven't seen it on the big screen. I now say the same thing about Citizen Kane.

All that said, it's not one of my favorite films, far from it. Movies that become favorites hit me in a very personal way that is specific to that film, and who and where I was when I first saw it (or appreciated it). Understanding why others rate Citizen Kane #1 is very different from rating it #1 (or anywhere at all) on my own personal favorites list.




My mind doesn't work like that. It doesn't have to be the "best ever" *to me* for me to accept and understand that others find it the best ever.