Direction: David Fincher
Country: USA
Mank recreates the dispute over the writing credits of the 1941 masterpiece Citizen Kane. The adversaries in this contend are director Orson Welles and screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz. The film, shot in classic black-and-white and evoking Hollywood in the 1930s, is not only about the friction between these two talents but rather a biographical drama centered in the polemic, washed up and alcoholic Mankiewicz (shortened Mank), brilliantly portrayed by Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour; Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy).
After a car accident, the plain-spoken Mank is taken to a house to recover from the injuries. Rushed by an avid Orson Welles to write something in 60 days for him to direct, he is put under the care of a nurse and a self-assured British typewriter, Rita (Lily Collins), who, in the course of time, gets to better understand his weaknesses and strengths. Through flashbacks, Mank reinforces his discontentment with the hypocrisy and games of interest lived in the movie industry, recalling several situations with the friend-turned-foe actress Marion Davies (Amanda Seyfried), his younger brother - the director Joseph L. Mankiewicz (Tom Pelphrey), the MGM boss Louis B. Mayer (Arliss Howard), and the newspaper publisher and influential businessman William Hearst (Charles Dance), whose life story inspired the writings of Citizen Kane.
Directing for the first time in six years, David Fincher (Seven; The Game; Fight Club) works from a screenplay by his late father, Jack Fincher. The film, also working as a homage to the latter, can be considerably dense and cathartic at times, with many characters and subtle lines that may not be obvious to the common viewer. Yet, it still exudes an untiring energy all the way through. Against all and everything, Mank refused to change the script that earned him an Oscar, and more than that, he didn’t give up from the recognition he deserved. His frankness is remembered in this well-acted biographical drama, which, even not as bold as other Fincher’s films, is stylish and passionately crafted.
