'Mank' A Review

Mank is a biopic about screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz(Gary Oldman) that uses his writing of the script of Citizen Kane, in an isolated desert hotel while recovering from a broken leg, as the anchor point while flashing back a decade to show the events leading up to it as well as various inspiration points for the script.

Oldman is formidable which is no surprise, creating an interesting charming character, but there is a benign lack of depth to the character. Who the character is or what he actually believes is screened by the unceasing stylized period patois, word play and asides mask what is actually happening both in reality and emotionally. The script also leans heavy into the tired and damaging genius-drunk archetype, Mankiewicz who in actuality tragically died of alcoholism in his 50's, is portrayed here certainly over-imbibing but the disease is given no weight, no cost, nothing beyond the false Hemingway style trapping of the inebriant as muse. It's egregious. The supporting cast are all solid notably Arliss Howard as MGM head LB Mayer, Charles Dance deliciously as William Randolph Hearst, and surprisingly Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davies, but all are not given much to do, the plot and the style take precedence over character and as a result the film doesn't solicit much emotional investment. Odd given the Mayer character has a great monologue about movies having to effect their audience emotionally.

Directed by David Fincher(from a script by his father) the production is meticulous and confident, the visuals have a stark clarity with nods to the filmmaking styles of the period in which it's set. The score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross is effective if unimaginative. All in all the filmmaking itself is top notch but it cannot overcome the lack of narrative focus and the shallowness of the characters.

Much time is spent on the 1934 gubernatorial election in California which certainly has some parallels to the present but the film has no real comment about it nor general message drawn from Mank's life or the campaign in particular. We never actually get to know much about who Mank was or what his influence would be. Ultimately the film only leaves you with a desire to watch Citizen Kane.

Impeccable crafting of an underbaked script.

Currently streaming on Netflix.

Rent It.