difficult to follow plot -- but I liked the actress that played Marion Davis

Good film, great acting, I liked the production and filming it like an old time movie, it worked for me.

Dialogue was not clear. Story line jumped around. Boring lost interest walked out

Terribly difficult to follow...exaggerated film noir style made it difficult to view...overall obscure and dense..would not recommend for any audience.

Cinematography is mind-blowing. If you are into this era of movies it is a must-watch. Loved it.

Overall liked the movie and glad I saw it. There was more jumping back and forth with flashbacks than I care for, but inserting the dates helped (but didnt entirely eliminate) confusion.

The perfect use of black and white brought the audience into the film noire era that was the special genre of the filmmaking business in the 1930's. Color did not come into use until 1939 (Wizard of Oz and Gone With The Wind) as there were only seven color cameras in use back then - the color was flat looking - much like a poster paint but if scenes like in GWTW, had special f/x, the color was hand painted on (matte painting) on the film reel slide itself..hence Tara was MGM's front)..Back to MANK -The use of real life people - heads of studios, actors, wannabees, writers - crew - all were perfectly done! I loved the back lot shots and the use of San Simeon (AKA - The Hearst Castle) in the film. It reality based w/o making too much liberty at making it a 'historical rendition of a man's adult life' Mank - Herman Mankewicz - was a true American screenwriter and tour de force in the golden age of Hollywood - with the original Hollywoodland (a repo - of course) on the mountain beyond the movie sets. I felt like I was in the 30's, in Hollywood, where the usual attention was on 'their' world - not reality. Even as they discussed the rise of Hitler and Nazism, they shrugged it off - that both showed their insular world and their ignorance of what would become the world to be) with the character who portrayed Louis B. Mayer (the dictator head of MGM Studios) and the tongue of a scoundrel - who dismissed the rise in Europe as "Hitler, Shmitler"...most people went along with the thoughts of Mayer and his secret partner - William Randolph Hearst who heavily backed the studios but was never known as one of the CFO's...The role of Mank - portrayed by Gary Oldham - was impeccably performed! His alcoholism was not to be laughed at - he had moments of very clear thoughts which were misshapen by his addiction to libations of alcohol. He was a genius in all areas except his own survival and ruination of his mind and body. I adored the use of the 'old' titles at the beginning - a practice sorely missed in new age films, as it is nice - plainly nice! - to know who is in the film, who directed, produced, wrote the music, etc. A stroke of genius was used in all facets in the making of this biopic. I have seen it twice in two days - I was so taken by the impact of this real reel of a time that is largely forgotten - when stars did not have the political and pushy power than is so adamant today. If you are an actor - that is your profession - but if you are a politician - that is yours - sorely and sadly - the two should not mix - unless you were Ronald Reagan..and he did it subtly and with panache and good sense. Gary Oldham kept his opinions geared to his fellow industry mates and was an enigma to the public. I also applauded how Joe (Mankewicz) was brought in - he became a tour de force in the industry and helped save his brother from extreme fall out when he voiced his slurry opinions. The portrayal of Marion Davies was superb! Amanda Seyfried did an incredible job as the oft played Marion as a burnt out drunken alcoholic whose looks dissipated over the course of her years (in reality they did NOT) as WRH's mistress and who helped (in real life) him when he went 'broke' by selling off her belongings and jewels. A very close friend of mine, an entertainer and actor, who came to the second viewing of Mank with me, actually knew Marion during the later 1960's and was thrilled that the portrayal was spot on and realistic...she was not a dumb blonde - the reason not in films (not even in this one - here it said her accent) was that MD had a lisp. She was truly elegant and gorgeous - not the washed out version most of us knew from Citizen Kane - now one of the top AFI films - then - a disaster as it flung feces at WRH and the Hollywood good old boys - where some of the filming was actually done! Orson Welles' character appears in the film - a ferocious outcast - but did himself in with his trashing of Hearst in Citizen Kane. I cannot stop finding more and more reasons why this is a superb film. It may be more for film buffs and history genre of film audiences, but nonetheless, it is a GREAT FILM!!! I sincerely hope that Gary Oldham is getting an Oscar for this performance - it was nothing short of brilliant!

Great behind the scenes look at Hollywood studio shenanigans in the 30s and 40s. (Note: not much has changed)

How did the Oscar winning screenplay of the Orson Welles starred/directed Citizen Kane really come to light? This is the main topic revolving around the beautifully shot & profoundly acted awards contender Mank. Led by masterful character driven Oscar winner Gary Oldman, who delves perfectly into the titular role as drunken screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz, while stealing every scene he’s in. All of the remaining performances are also finely in tune, specifically the glorious & illuminating presence of co-star Amanda Seyfried as screen legend Marion Davies, who nonetheless proves herself as the fantastic actress that she is. Mank is directed by ingenious maestro David Fincher, “Seven”, “The Social Network”, “Gone Girl”, & he brilliantly captures the nostalgic look and feel of 1930’s/early 1940’s Hollywood, while also recreating scenes, sounds & the score from its inspired film Citizen Kane as a lovely & respectable nod. Based on a screenplay from his late father Jack Fincher, David Fincher unveils his ultimate passion of filmmaking through Mank, as the movie effortlessly strides from scene to scene with awe inspiring glee. Mank possesses shots to behold, from its cinematography by Erik Messerschmidt. The hauntingly replicated yet alluring score from Oscar winning composers, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross only contributes to the darkness & compassion amongst the characters & atmosphere. Although the picture appears to prolong certain political aspects, they still feel necessary given certain relatable topics of current times. Mank pays a huge homage to old Hollywood movies & that style of filmmaking, & it is without question a joy to experience this world as a dedicated film lover myself. Mank is a Netflix distributed/streamer film that I was very fortunate to attend in a movie theater, where a movie of this caliber was meant to be presented in.