Mank movie (2020) is an immersive study of 1930s screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman), as he toils over the script of the now-classic masterpiece Citizen Kane.
Things that stand out almost immediately are the movie’s noir-like visuals, brilliant cinematography, and reflective direction. Not to mention some of the finest performances given by its cast. It takes you back in time, to some old school quaint Hollywood.
The Plot and Theme of Mank
At the start of the film, Mankiewicz, noted for his alcoholism as well as his prose, is convalescing after he sustains a broken leg following a drunken car accident in Victorville, California. Under the care of a German nurse and a stenographer (Lily Collins), Mankiewicz goes to work on the screenplay for Citizen Kane, and in true Citizen Kane fashion, the biopic gives us vignettes from his recent past. All of the pages coalesce to provide the audience with an impression of a man who grapples with the power-hungry elites of Hollywood, armed only with his sharp wit which he uses to slice through the ostentation.
Among those lambasted by Mankiewicz are Louie B. Mayer (Arliss Howard), the avaricious taskmaster who headed MGM in the 1930s, and William Randolph Hearst (Charles Dance), the Los Angeles newspaper magnate who was the subject of Mankiewicz’s screenplay. But the film also touches on the conflict between the screenwriter and actor Orson Welles (Tom Burke), who shares partial credit for the writing of Citizen Kane, though it is still unknown just how much the then-new actor contributed to the screenplay.
Mank movie stands out from other period films in its nostalgia-inducing black and white aesthetic combined with its use of deep-focus cinematography—a nod to Citizen Kane, which was the first film to use this method of cinematography. But audiences will find that background knowledge about old Hollywood is essential to appreciate the nuances of the film and even the basic plot. But if one comes with prior knowledge of Citizen Kane and its surrounding controversies, the film is a pleasurable and, at times, humorous piece of filmmaking that includes surprisingly relevant themes for the modern age.
Performances by Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfriend, and Tom Burke in Movie Mank
With writer Jack Fincher’s clever, fast paced dialogue, the quips and witticisms from the actors seem stagy, but this only adds to the film’s old Hollywood vibe. The dialogue is reminiscent of the 1940s comedy His Girl Friday which also focused on the world of writers. Gary Oldman carries this style well as he disappears into the role of the downtrodden screenwriter, painting a convincing portrait of a brilliant man who suffers from alcoholism and gambling addiction. The climax of the film, which takes place in Hearst castle, highlights Oldman’s ability to convey Mankiewicz’s searing wit, alcohol-fueled volubility, and his damaged spirit.
Equal to Oldman is Amanda Seyfried’s performance as Marion Davies, actress and Hearst’s mistress. From her first appearance on the set of a Western, we understand why Mankiewicz is drawn to Davies. Seyfried portrays her as a blunt, uninhibited Brooklynite with a sharper mind than she’s given credit for. The glamorous look she’s given, which authentically replicates Marion Davies’ style, contributes to her standout presence in every scene.
Another striking performance comes from Tom Burke whose voice alone mimics Welles’s resonance and eloquence so well it almost feels like Orson Welles is on the other end of the phone with Mankiewicz when we’re introduced to his character. His physical performance is also reminiscent of Welles’ classical style when we see him engage in a heated exchange with Mankiewicz.
Citizen Kane Controversies in Mank Movie
Although the film is not entirely historically accurate, some of the most interesting controversies it deals with are the rift between Welles and Mankiewicz, as well as the possible truths embedded in the screenplay itself. One of the bigger real-life controversies surrounding the writing of Citizen Kane pertains to authorship.Was it Orson Welles or Mankiewicz who wrote the bulk of the screenplay? The film effectively draws the viewer into the debate, but it hints so strongly at an answer that the audience is nearly deprived of an opportunity to speculate.
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In addition to the authorship question, the film probes the portrayals of key characters in Citizen Kane, including the woman who is allegedly based on Marion Davies. This is a conflict that’s never truly resolved in the film. Mankeiwicz is asked why he portrayed Marion in a harsh light when the writer seemed to have a friendship and infatuation for the actress. In response, he denies that the character was fully based on Marion, but the viewer is given the chance to speculate about Mankiewicz’s motives in this regard.
Why Is This Story Suited for Our Time?
The story of the writer behind a film from 1941 seems out of place for the modern world, but Mank movie bridges this disconnect by adding a political layer to the story. Mankiewicz witnesses producer Irving Thalberg’s propagandist newsreels against democratic socialist Upton Sinclair (Bill Nye). Louie B. Mayer and Thalberg intend to fund and advocate for their conservative candidate, Frank Merriam. It is even implied that Mankiewicz’s loose tongue motivates Thalberg to create the newsreels, much to the writer’s dismay.
The theme of the political right vs. the left mirrors the divisive politics of our time, as well as our concerns over a lack of neutrality in the media. On California’s gubernatorial election night, Mankiewicz irreverently declares to Mayer, “If you keep telling people something untrue loud and long enough, they’re apt to believe it.”
Even though much of what happens regarding the politics in the film is fictional (since the real Mankiewicz was a conservative and supporter of Merriam), it adapts the narrative to our time. The conservatism that was rampant in old Hollywood is depicted, but the hero of the story does not subscribe to it in order to remain sympathetic to the audience.
But the fictional aspects of Mank don’t hurt it as a masterful period film. It incisively deals with media and its influence on politics, as well as the power wielded by wealthy individuals who control news outlets and entertainment. While the film frames these issues within a vintage setting, audiences may find it all too contemporary.
If you liked this review, you can check out some cool analysis on our site too.
Check out the trailer of Mank movie here:
Mank
Pros
- Great Direction
- Takes you back in time
- Great Acting by the Cast
Cons
- Not for everybody
