Although it is clearly too late and Susan has made her mind up. Kane recognizes that his daily existence has been about fulfilling his own needs regardless of what those around him may desire. He understands that he has been a bad person, but the arc happens all too late for Kane.
After analyzing Citizen Kane for tension, it was clear to see there were several bouts of tension throughout the movie. One example that comes to mind of straight tension was when it became clear at the breakfast table that Kane's marriage to Emily had fallen apart before he runs for Governor. Instead they put on a brave and united front for the cameras. The audience wasn't sure how they were both going to react in front of the cameras so it was tense for a moment, and we were hoping that they don't expose the argument to the press. Another example of tension in Citizen Kane was at the beginning of the movie when his Mother screams Charles' name while he was outside playing. At this point there is suspense tension because we know that Kane's mother is about to tell him that he has to leave with Walter Thatcher. The audience isn't sure how the young Kane is going to react, but we feel that there is some kind of danger or high emotion attached. I think the opening scene of the movie also provides suspense because the music is very dramatic and scary, we then see no trespassing signs and what looks like a haunted house. The camera takes its time to finally get to Kane's house, and keeps us guessing on what is going to jump out on us. This really sets the tone of the movie and causes the audience to not know what is coming next providing a real sense of suspense. .
There were many elements of the filmmakers toolbox included in Citizen Kane. Firstly, looking at the camera work that was used throughout the movie, there were several times that it was used subjectively and objectively. There were moments throughout the movie in which it made the audience feel like they were part of the story.
