Mank (2020)
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A screenwriter struggles to complete the script for Orson Welles's masterpiece while navigating the influence of a powerful media tycoon.
The story
In 1940, Orson Welles is granted complete creative freedom for his next project by RKO. To develop the screenplay, Welles recruits Herman J. Mankiewicz, who is recovering from a broken leg in Victorville, California. While Herman dictates the script to his secretary, Rita Alexander, she notices striking similarities between the main character and the powerful William Randolph Hearst. Meanwhile, producer John Houseman grows concerned about the complexity of the nonlinear screenplay, and Herman's brother, Joseph, worries that the work might provoke the influential Hearst. Despite these tensions and the pressures of the studio environment, Herman continues to craft his vision for the film.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1940, Orson Welles recruits Herman J. Mankiewicz to write the screenplay for his next film. While Herman works from a recovery location, his secretary, Rita, notes the similarities between the protagonist and media mogul William Randolph Hearst. The narrative weaves between 1930 and 1940, showing Herman's interactions with Marion Davies and his involvement in various Hollywood maneuvers. In 1937, a drunken confrontation at Hearst Castle leads to a public fallout between Herman and the studio brass. As the deadline approaches, Houseman pressures Herman to finish the dense script. In 1940, despite warnings from his brother Joseph and attempts by Marion to influence the work, Herman completes the screenplay. Following a final confrontation with Welles regarding credit and the terms of his contract, Herman ultimately receives joint credit with Welles for the film. Two years later, they both win the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Citizen Kane.
- First release year
- 2020
- Runtime (minutes)
- 131
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- David Fincher
- Writers
- Jack Fincher · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Gary Oldman · Herman J. Mankiewicz; Amanda Seyfried · Rita Alexander; Lily Collins · Marion Davies; Arliss Howard · Joseph Mankiewicz; Tom Pelphrey · John Houseman; Charles Dance · Louis B. Mayer
- Genres
- biographical drama
- Themes
- Hollywood history; artistic integrity; authorship
- Tone and mood
- dramatic; noir
- Setting
- Hollywood and California, 1930-1940
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; historical; behind-the-scenes
- Source material / true-story basis
- Based on the life of Herman J. Mankiewicz
- Content notes
- alcoholism
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised the direction, acting, cinematography, production values, and musical score.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 79 · scale: 100 · review count: 52
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Production Design · Win; Academy Award · Best Cinematography · Win; Academy Award · Best Picture · Nomination; Academy Award · Best Director · Nomination; Academy Award · Best Actor · Nomination; Academy Award · Best Supporting Actress · Nomination; Golden Globe Award · Best Motion Picture – Drama · Nomination
- Production trivia
- Shot in black-and-white to pay homage to 1930s films.; The script was based on a 1971 New Yorker article.; The score used period-authentic instruments from the 1940s.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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