Nov. 13, 2020|United States|133 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;History
Description: In 1940, Orson Welles is granted full creative control over his next project by RKO. He hires Herman J. Mankiewicz to write the screenplay while Herman is recovering in Victorville, California, from a leg injury sustained in a car accident. Herman dictates the script to his secretary, Rita Alexander, who notices parallels between the main character and William Randolph Hearst. Producer John Houseman is uneasy about Herman’s complex and nonlinear script, and Herman’s brother Joseph fears it might provoke Hearst’s anger.
In 1930, Herman visits an MGM location where he meets Marion Davies, the lead actress, who introduces him to Hearst, her benefactor and lover. Hearst takes a liking to Herman. In 1933, Herman and his wife Sara attend Louis B. Mayer’s birthday party at Hearst Castle with many Hollywood elites. They discuss the rise of Nazi Germany and the upcoming gubernatorial election, particularly focusing on candidate Upton Sinclair. Herman and Marion bond over discussions about politics and the film industry.
By 1940, Houseman grows frustrated with Herman’s slow progress, and Rita worries about his alcoholism. Herman eventually completes the screenplay on time, impressing Houseman, who reminds Herman he will receive no credit for his work.
In 1934, Herman and Joseph begin working at MGM under Mayer. Studio executives, including Irving Thalberg, oppose Sinclair’s gubernatorial campaign, producing propaganda films funded by Hearst to smear Sinclair. Herman approaches Marion to halt the films but fails as she has already left for Warner Brothers. Herman and Sara later attend an election night gathering at the Trocadero Nightclub, where Mayer announces Frank Merriam as the winner. Herman’s colleague, director Shelly Metcalf, takes his own life after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and feeling guilty for his role in the smear campaign, despite personally supporting Sinclair.
Cast director: David Fincher
Cast actor: Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins, Tom Pelphrey, Arliss Howard, Tuppence Middleton, Monika Gossmann, Joseph Cross, Sam Troughton, Toby Leonard Moore
Original name: Mank