frogboy4
Inactive Member
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2002
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Really? I can respect your preference but not your reasoning. Kane isn't really about some spectacular revelation of a physical object. It's a little long-winded but meticulously crafted, well performed and nothing short of brilliant. It's not about "trying hard". Everything about the execution and end result of Kane was thoughtfully planned. There were no happy accidents or classic scenes created due to production missteps like there are with "Casa Blanca".Sorry, but to me Citizen Kane is the overrated one, hehe. It reminds me of big epic films they make today, all style and little subtance. And a big ego trip. Pioneering camera techniques but underwhelming story for me. (I mean really, it wasn't that hard to figure out what Rosebud was! ).
Casablanca's writing process may have been hectic, but the final movie's dialogue is witty, sharp and it was a brilliantly character driven story with talented character actors and leads. And I love the idea of this cynical guy who is finally inspired to join the good fight. Plus the fact that the actors themselves were actually living these events in real life at the time makes it all the more poignant.
Movies like Citizen Kane were trying too hard to be classics. Casablanca simply is a classic and didn't need to try.
However, I will agree with you about Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, it never fails to move me. : )
I'll admit that there's definitely magic in stumbling upon classic moments rather than having them professionally plotted out in pre-production. However, I respect true intentional craftsmanship a lot more. I think you're unfairly transplanting modern views on what are now considered classic movies. There was no such thing as a classic film back then. Neither were trying to invent a genre or become a classic. They just tried to get butts in the seats.
While "Casa Blanca" is a fine film, I just find it overrated. But dissing "Citizen Kane" for trying too hard is like dissing Tolkien or Lewis for spending too much time fleshing out their worlds and characters.