Citizen Kane -- the man who had everything he never wanted

We finished viewing this classic just yesterday -- what a fascinating movie!
The movie follows the story of a lonely man, showing us his life through the accounts of people who knew him.

What I find fascinating is how there are links to his childhood in various areas. It was hinted that Kane was abused by his father, which was why his mother sent him away. As the story progresses, you observe instances of Kane abusing others -- his wives, his friends, and his power and money.

I think the abuse by his father had deeper impact, also. For instance, Kane always seemed to feel he had to prove himself. Perhaps he was still afraid that if he wasn't good enough he'd be beaten somehow. Thus the obsessive collection of various objects by which he felt he could prove his wealth; his finishing the article that was started by Leland, even though it spoke negatively of his wife (proving his honesty); the opera house, which Susan Alexander really didn't want. Building Xanadu in an attempt to prove his power and his wealth.

Even deeper is Kane's need for love, although he doesn't seem to have any to give -- "love on his own terms." Unloved as a child, he tried to gain the love of the masses.

Finally, "Rosebud". His dying word shows just how deep his connection to his childhood is, that the last thing he says refers to the sled he was playing with the day he left his parents.

It's also very interesting to note that when Susan Alexander leaves him, he also says "Rosebud". The snowglobe reminds him of his childhood home -- something else that he's lost forever.

My final observation: Kane was always alone. No matter how many people were around, or how much stuff he had, it couldn't fill his loneliness. I don't think he really wanted any of the statues. When the camera is panning over all of his stuff, most still in boxes, I at first thought it was a city. It's like Kane was the leader of a city with no people.
He had the power, but it wasn't worth a thing -- there was nobody there to listen.