By Eva Sanchez

“Mank,” based on the real Herman Mankiewicz, follows the screenwriter and a fictionalized version of his process in writing the screenplay of “Citizen Kane” for Orson Welles. It introduces us to this eccentric and witty alcoholic whose story is, for the most part, untold. 

If you know nothing about “Citizen Kane,” Orson Welles, Upton Sinclair or William Randolph Hearst, you may still be able to find this movie enjoyable but less so as you are missing out on the connections to the movie and what happened in real life. That being said, I have not seen “Citizen Kane” in its entirety. I only know what I know about the movie from research I’ve done as to not miss out on pop culture references. Doing a basic Google search on some of this movie’s notable characters will save you the confusion of character relationships during the movie. 

Gary Oldman plays a perfect Mank and, from the performance I just watched, he is my current guess as to who will take home the coveted best actor trophy. In the movie, he is bed-ridden as he had just suffered a car accident and is in the process of recovery. As Mank heals, he is writing the screenplay for what will be considered one of the most famous and, arguably, best movies of all time, “Citizen Kane.” During his time writing, the audience is taken back in time, with clearly labeled flashbacks, for a majority of the movie to see a younger Mank as a screenwriter and as a person. 

Mank frequents with the higher ups of the movie industry and the big names of the well known studios. His quick tongue and witty remarks make him a favored dinner table guest. Mank shares different political and social views from his acquaintances and, because he is not afraid to speak his mind, not everyone enjoys his company. Ruffling the feathers of studio heads and William Randolph Hearst is important to Mank, who sees the power and corruption of Hollywood firsthand. 

The movie is in black and white, a nod to “Citizen Kane” and old Hollywood films. The shots were artistic and thought out, from being in Hearst’s castle to being in the small room in the desert Mank is stuck in while writing. The details of the set and the creativity of the shots will captivate you and take you back in time. The glamour and the glitz of the upper class in the 1930s Hollywood are made prominent. 

Everyone’s favorite Mean Girls actress, Amanda Seyfried, stars as Hearst’s longtime mistress and friend of Manks, Marion Davies. Seyfried too has snagged an Oscars nomination for best supporting actress playing this role.

Overall, I think this movie was excellent — it was entertaining and taught me something new. But it is exactly the kind of movie that the Oscars always lean towards. If it wins best picture, in my opinion, the Academy will have picked the safest choice, especially considering the diversity in best picture nominees this Oscars season. 

Featured photo: Movie poster courtesy of IMDb. Graphics added and edited by Eva Sanchez.