Analysis of Citizen Kane and Grand Budapest Hotel

Furthermore, it also analyzes how editing manipulate time and space alongside how mise-en-scene create mood, tone and atmosphere. The presentation of Citizen Kane film has involved cinematic language in presenting events to the audience. For example, the film has been made so colorful by the use of overlapping narrative sections, a number of flashbacks and the use of a film within a film. As it begins, the cinematic language is evident at the sight of Gothic Xanado where the camera displays Kane`s bedroom and a man uttering the last word ‘Rosebud’. This is followed by the presentation of public record titled ‘News on the March’ however, in a manner that hides the meaning of the man and his last word.

The camera angles have indicated a shift of their relationship towards the end where Susan makes up her mind to walk out of Kane. In this scene, Susan is photographed in a low angle to indicate that she has achieved her personality and freedom. On the other hand, Kane is seen in a high angle making the viewers to depict him as less powerful to stop Susan from leaving. The cinematic language in Grand Budapest Hotel has been used in a number of ways beginning with framing as one aspect to create consistency throughout the film. For example it has enabled achievement of symmetrical compositions and certain shots that have been created to depict the viewpoint of the main characters. A good example is where shock cuts have been used to introduce the News on the March sequence and the screaming parrot later in the film.

Again at the opening scene, the pictures in the foreground of the shots appear random in a manner that ensures discontinuity and continuity of the film. For example, this scene shows unrelated items including monkeys and manor however, they depict aspect of continuity where one is able to realize that the manor is Kane`s house. Editing furthermore, has brought out a vivid focus on a single window which is later recognized by the audience as the Xanadu in as much as it creates suspense upon the zooming of the window until a clear view of Kane on his deathbed is shown, thus, indicating to the audience that certain amount of time has passed. Grand Budapest Hotel film is also developed using editing style to manipulate time and space in a number of ways.

Another instance where mise-en-scene is evident is the photograph where Kane`s parents are conversing with Mr. Thatcher concerning his future. In this flashback, Kane is seen emotionally drained in the background and he appears trapped inside the frames of the window a symbol bringing out the meaning that Kane is being forced into Thatcher`s care. Moreover, the photograph creates an impression on the viewer about how Kane used to enjoy the moments before leaving home. The snow on the foreground shows implications of forgetting the past memories in his mind. In conclusion, the two films have been effective as aided by the styles discussed. The styles moreover, have played critical roles in keeping the audience in constant view as well as creating consistency throughout the films.