Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Writer/director: David Fincher, Netflix.
Aiming for Oscar grandeur in 2021, Netflix has joined the queue with Mank, about how screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz wrote Citizen Kane, which was released in 1941. The classic drama was produced and directed by Orson Welles, who also co-wrote the screenplay.
The black-and-white picture was Welles’s first feature film, the inspiration for which (in part) was the life of American media baron William Randolph Hearst, who had put together an empire of newspapers, radio stations, magazines and news services. It’s said, “Hearst was Ted Turner, Rupert Murdoch and Bill Gates rolled up into an enigma.”
For its day, Citizen Kane virtually broke all the rules about the methods of cinematography, with storytelling that was ahead of its time.
Mank is directed by David Fincher from a screenplay written by his father Jack 20 years ago. This movie about another movie jogs our memory about how significant some Hollywood films really are.
There were 10 nominations for an Academy Award for Mank this year, including Best Picture, Best Director (David Fincher), Best Actor in a Leading Role (Gary Oldman) and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Amanda Seyfried).
Oscar-winner Oldman (Darkest Hour, State of Grace) man stars as screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz. Seyfried (In Time, Mama Mia!) plays Marion Davies, American actress, producer, screenwriter and philanthropist.
One apt description is: “1930s Hollywood is reevaluated through the eyes of scathing wit and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish Citizen Kane”.
Movies based on real life have an appeal all their own as we get swept along by what’s onscreen.
