1930s Hollywood is reevaluated through the eyes of scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane.
- Released: 2020-11-13
- Runtime: 132 minutes
- Genre: Drama, History
- Stars: Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins, Arliss Howard, Tom Pelphrey, Sam Troughton, Ferdinand Kingsley, Tuppence Middleton, Tom Burke, Joseph Cross, Jamie McShane, Toby Leonard Moore, Monika Gossmann, Charles Dance, Jack Romano, Adam Shapiro, John Churchill, Jeff Harms, Derek Petropolis, Sean Persaud, Paul Fox, Tom Simmons, Nick Job, Colin Ward, Cooper Tomlinson, Julie Collis, Arlo Mertz, Craig Welzbacher, Jessie Cohen, Desiree Louise, Amie Farrell, Ian Boyd, Jay Villwock, Lou George, John Lee Ames, Bill Nye, Richmond Arquette, David Lee Smith, Mario Di Donato, James Patrick Duffy, Flo Lawrence, Sebastian Faure, Randy Davison, Christian Prentice, Leven Rambin, Rick Pasqualone, Gary Teitelbaum, Eden Wattez, Roslyn Cohn, Mark Fite, John Patrick Jordan, Ben Mankiewicz, Natalie Denise Sperl, Brian Michael Jones, Camille Montgomery, Craig Robert Young, Paul Carafotes, Anne Beyer, Joey Hagler, Sean Donnellan, Stewart Skelton, Malachi Rivers, Keith Barber, Kaytlin Borgen, Madison West, Elvy, Ali Axelrad, Adrienne Evans, Wylie Small, Dana Lyn Baron, Jaclyn Bethany, Cary Christopher, Michelle Twarowska, Kingston Vernes, Jordan Matlock, Anthony Molinari, Daniel Hoffman
- Director: David Fincher
Comments
- alexpeychev - 21 March 2024
Let's delve into a review of the 2020 film "Mank":
Let's delve into a review of the 2020 film "Mank":
"Mank" is a wonderfully crafted and well-acted ode to a bygone era. Directed by David Fincher, the film takes us back to 1930s and '40s Hollywood, focusing on the screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz (played by Gary Oldman).
Here's what makes "Mank" stand out:
Playful Cinematic Language: Fincher's mastery of film language shines through. He uses state-of-the-art cinematic tools to create a black-and-white image reminiscent of old-time reel changes.
The wide CinemaScope frame adds a modern twist to the 1930s setting.
Creamy, Dreamy Black-and-White: The film's black-and-white cinematography isn't sharp or nitrate-like. It's creamy and dreamy, almost Lynchian.
This deliberate choice sets the tone for the movie, emphasizing its unique visual style.
Gary Oldman's Performance: Oldman delivers a standout performance as Mankiewicz. His portrayal captures the wit, brilliance, and inner conflicts of the screenwriter.
The supporting cast, including Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davies, complements Oldman's work.
Not a Sentimental Love Letter: Contrary to some expectations, "Mank" is not a nostalgic love letter to old Hollywood. It doesn't romanticize the industry or its players.
The film portrays a Hollywood where few are happy in their work, revealing the darker side of the glamorous era.
In summary, "Mank" is provocative, pointed, and ruthlessly entertaining. Fincher's vision and Oldman's performance make it a must-watch for cinephiles and history enthusiasts alike. - fredrikgunerius - 7 August 2023
Welcomes you back to the 1930s as if you never left
With its crackling black-and-white cinematography and sound production, Mank not only transports you back to 1930s Hollywood on a sightseeing trip, it welcomes you back as if you never left. And the narrative is presented likewise - as if there's complete confidentiality between you and this group of people from the elite of Old Hollywood. The film is David Fincher's first since Gone Girl back in 2014 - the longest interval he's ever had between two movies. And the reason may well be the unusual development history here, because Mank is based on a screenplay Fincher's father Jack wrote before his death in 2003. One of the reasons the film didn't materialize back then was Fincher's insistence on shooting in black-and-white, which of course turns out to be an important part of the aforementioned time travel. Admittedly, the film demands some sort of prior knowledge of or devotion to the era in question, the people populating it, or at least Citizen Kane - the seminal film around which Mank is spun. A film that has defined movie history to such a degree that Fincher wisely avoids the risk of appearing arrogant by simplifying or over-explaining its mythos. Instead, he invites us viewers to make an effort ourselves. If you're up for that, which probably most people choosing to watch Mank is, this is a highly rewarding and informative delve into the details and mentality of the movie industry's fascinating youth. And there are also fun and delightful performances by several talented actors, most notably Amanda Seyfried, Charles Dance, Ferdinand Kingsley, and of course the ever dependable Gary Oldman.
