To be honest, some of the film's techniques are still visually staggering to this date, particularly the predominant use of deep focus. Very few films use deep focus in such a significant way. This is true because directors may want the audience to concentrate on only part of the scene rather than the whole picture. Additionally, deep focus requires a director to stage the entire scene. The lack of deep focus in many films is described effectively by director Steven Soderbergh: "That kind of staging is a lost art, which is too bad. The reason they no longer work that way is because it means making choices, real choices, and sticking to them. (...) That's not what people do now. They want all the options they can get in the editing room."
Seeing the shots in Citizen Kane with such a wide perspective and a deep focus that gives everything in the shot fair clarity. Seeing every aspect in a scene in perfect focus is truly exhilarating especially in this day and age when the production of film is so centered around editing, CGI and other post-production techniques. With all of these aspects being overly used in today's films, it's refreshing to be visually enticed by the natural look of the film's setting through its use of cinematography and focus.
Another unconventional aspect that makes it shine above the traditional American film is the way the narrative presents itself. We know the main character is dead right at the beginning of the film, yet the story still manages to make us care for a dead man. That's what makes this film different from other movies that deal with a man's life. According to film critic Bert Cardullo, this is not a study of Charles Foster Kane's character it is more about the study of the experiences he goes through and how those experiences affect Kane and others around him. This as well as the audience's curiosity with what "Rosebud" is is how we connect and care about Charles Foster Kane and his life.
These aspects as well as its use of jump cuts (the bird scene stands out above all the rest) demonstrates how Citizen Kane truly is a unique film that holds up even today. It is shot and presented in such a different way than most modern American films due to its predominant use of deep focus. If your a fan of films that are visually pleasing without relying on CGI or other post-production effects, you need to see this. This is the film that started it all.
Nice description here, of what some of the cinematic techniques are, and how they work. You might have another look at Cardullo though. He's saying something interesting and complicated about Kane as a character. The movie isn't about _his_ experiences, it's about ours as the audience. You _almost_ notice that in your comments. Use your sharp observations as a basis for exploring concepts, and don't hesitate to go deeper!
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