Mank - A Netflix Movie Review
The performances, cinematography, and direction of 'Mank' are given the highest standards to a historical event.
We have to get people into theaters - but how? I know how to write this script.
Mank is a 2020 Netflix film based on the making of the screenplay to the famous film, Citizen Kane. Screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz is challenged by the eyes of 1930’s Hollywood to finish the script.
Mank is an inclusive look into the behind-the-scenes work of the classic film, Citizen Kane. The performances, cinematography, and direction of Mank are given the highest standards to a historical event. Overall, while it is enjoyable, it’s the story that is not the strongest element.
Gary Oldman loses himself to any role that he is given. His remarkable performance as Herman J. Mankiewicz is what kept me watching. Unrecognizable, Oldman is outstanding in scenes where he has to persuade people about his talents.
While Oldman is a highlight, Mank is not an engaging protagonist. It is evident through subtle camera details that he is an alcoholic who spends most of his time in bed. Mank has strong desires in his vision of the script, but he doesn’t fight enough to see the ideas through.
In one of the best roles that I have seen her in, Amanda Seyfried was noteworthy in her performance. Like Oldman, Seyfriend achieves an incredible performance of a real-life figure. She did her research on actress, Marion Davis.
Oldman and Seyfriend were spectacular in their interactions, especially when they took a walk around the very impressive courtyard of Sam Simeon Mansion. That was one of my favorite scenes that dictated pacing and spaced out dialogue very well in the editing.
Other credits to commend are Lily Collins, Tom Pelphrey, Arliss Howard, Tuppence Middleton, Monika Gossmann, Joseph Cross, Tom Burke, and many more.
I am surprised that Tuppence Middleton (Sara Mankiewicz) is not talked about more. She delivers a strong and scathing speech to her husband about how she truly feels about their marriage.
Mank explores the time period extremely well. Everything from the cinematography, costumes, and hairstyles felt like I was transported back to the 1930s. It captured the style. The excellent camera work scaled locations and followed characters in their actions. Location choices were rich capturing beautiful landmarks, particularly San Simeon Mansion.
David Fincher’s work as a director was noteworthy, but it’s the story that is not well contrived. While Fincher landed the tone, some of the scenes didn’t have full closure to me. Pay attention to subtleties which tell you when the scene takes place in the present or it is a flashback. I’m not sure why editors made cuts back and forth as they did, but it was confusing.
Mank is a heavy dialogue film. One of my favorite sequences took place at a party with the characters talking. Normally, these types of scenes bore me. It was the execution of the scene and camera work that made it more engrossing. I wish the entire film could have been like this instead of dragging out scenes that had nothing to do with the story.
The world of Hollywood is given attention to how everything worked in the film industry. I have never seen the film Citizen Kane, but it was engaging to learn the backstory of the making of the film. Hollywood has changed over the years whether for better or for worse. Unless you are aggressive, nobody is going to get what they want in the film world.
I recommend that you watch Mank for its Golden Globe nominations. It is long and drawn out in the middle half, I will warn you. Mank provides a look into early film history along with commendable performances.
About the Creator
Marielle Sabbag
Writing has been my passion since I was 11 years old. I love creating stories from fiction, poetry, fanfiction. I enjoy writing movie reviews. I would love to become a creative writing teacher and leave the world inspiring minds.
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