“If you keep telling people something untrue loud and long enough, they are apt to believe it.”
– Mank
MANK tells the semi-true story of the writer behind CITIZEN KANE. David Fincher once again deliveries a top notch technical movie. The pristine black and white photography, the glorious score and perfectly splendid set designs all sing from the screen. And at the center, is an Oscar worthy performance by legendary Gary Oldman.
With all of that praise, I am saddened to report that MANK feels distant. An alcoholic’s descent should be compelling (see LEAVING LAS VEGAS), yet Mank’s collapse struggles to find a “why” to show his story.
Mank may have been conversationally appealing, but conversations make for an interesting podcast, not a two-plus hour feature film.
It is available on Netflix starting 4-Dec
