Orson Welles reinvented movies at the age of 26 with this audacious biography of newspaper baron Charles Foster Kane (in essence, a thinly veiled portrait of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst), who rises from poverty to become one of America's most influential men. A complex and technically stunning film, Citizen Kane is considered one of the best movies ever made.

STARRING

Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten

DIRECTOR

Orson Welles

LENGTH

119 Minutes

CATEGORY & RATING

Drama (PG)

AWARDS

1942 Academy Award: Best Writing
1942 Academy Award: Best Picture nominee
1942 Academy Award: Best Director nominee: Orson Welles
1942 Academy Award: Best Actor nominee: Orson Welles
1942 Academy Award: Best Cinematography Black and White nominee
1942 Academy Award: Best Film Editing nominee
1942 Academy Award: Best Sound nominee
1942 Academy Award: Best Art Direction Black and White nominee
1942 Academy Award: Best Music Score nominee
AFI: Top 100 Movies

POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC ISSUES

QUESTIONS

Write short essay answers to any four of the following six questions.

1. Using the DSM-IV, please list five criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder which you think qualify Charles Foster Kane.

2. Concerning narcissism, how accurate do you think Kane's friend was by saying, “He married for love, that's why he did everything, that's why he went into politics, it seems we weren't enough. He wanted all the voters to love him too. That's all he ever really wanted out of life—love. That's Charlie's story, how he lost it, he just didn't have any to give.”

3. “Citizen Kane” is a movie rich in metaphor and symbolism. The most prominent metaphor is the ongoing search for the meaning behind “Rosebud.”
“Rosebud, it'll probably turn out to be a very simple thing.” “Rosebud was something he couldn't get or something he lost...I guess Rosebud is just a piece in a jigsaw puzzle, a missing piece.” From a clinical perspective, what interpretation do you feel best describes the metaphor behind Rosebud?

4. Describe a treatment plan for one of the characters in the film assuming he or she came to you for psychotherapy.

5. What did you learn from the film that you believe will enhance your clinical skills?

6. How might clients benefit from viewing the film and discussing it in therapy?

DIRECTIONS

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