Dec 8th 
(Curzon Colchester)
Mank* (12A)       

(US 2020)
Netflix. 132m. bw

In late 1930s America, bed-ridden writer Herman Mankiewicz writes the first draft of Citizen Kane, based on his personal experiences with William Randolph Hearst.
Selective Hollywood history falling into the familiar trap of relegating famous figures to seemingly very minor roles. The omission of Welles for much of the narrative is a curious choice, even though the style of the film is visually influenced by him (including irritating multiple flashbacks), smothering out characterisation and performances, and the use of black-and-white on this occasion is unsuitable.

Written by: Jack Fincher.
Producers: Cean Chaffing, Eric Roth, Douglas Urbanski.
Director: David Fincher.
Starring: Gary Oldman, Lily Collins, Tuppence Middleton, Amanda Seyfried (as Marion Davies, but  looking more like Jean Harlow), Charles Dance (as Hearst), Arliss Howard, Sam Troughton, Tom Pelphrey, Tom Burke (as Welles), Joseph Cross, Jamie McShane.
Photography: Erik Messerschmidt.
Music: Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross.
Editing: Kirk Baxter.


The only scenes in MANK that seemed to really ring true: between Herman Mankiewicz and his younger brother Joe (Tom Pelphrey)