David Fincher's 'Mank' Explores the Making of 'Citizen Kane'

David Fincher's film 'Mank,' released on Netflix on December 4, 2020, chronicles the life of screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz and his collaboration with Orson Welles on 'Citizen Kane.' The black-and-white film delves into the production challenges of Welles's masterpiece and the subsequent credit dispute after winning the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1942. Starring Gary Oldman as Mankiewicz and Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davies, the film also features Charles Dance as William Randolph Hearst, Tom Pelphrey as Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Lily Collins as secretary Rita Alexander, and Tom Burke as Orson Welles. Fincher adopts the visual and narrative style of 1930s and 1940s Hollywood, with music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The film examines the political and industrial dynamics of Hollywood, including the rivalry between Republicans and Democrats, and reflects on the nature of cinema itself. It is not a straightforward making-of but an exploration of why 'Citizen Kane' was made, highlighting the magic and perfidy of the film industry.