Two years ago, Netflix crashed the Oscars party in a big way when Roma won three awards (including Best Director) and was nominated in seven other categories, including Best Picture. That announced the streaming giant was a player on the awards circuit, a trend that continued in 2019 with the release of The Irishman and Marriage Story. Once again, Netflix is partnering with a well-respected auteur in the hopes of making an Oscars splash with David Fincher's Mank, which lingered in development hell for decades before it was finally made. Mank is a wonderfully crafted and well-acted ode to a bygone era carried by Fincher's vision and Gary Oldman's standout performance.

Oldman stars in Mank as screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz, who is brought on by Orson Welles to write the script for Citizen Kane. While Mankiewicz is renowned for his talents, he is seen as something of a risk due to his self-destructive alcoholic tendencies and sharp wit that can get him into trouble. With Herman's secretary Rita Alexander (Lily Collins) and Welles' collaborator John Houseman (Sam Troughton) keeping a close eye on Mank, the hope is he'll be able to finish the screenplay in time. However, there are also growing concerns about Herman's obvious real-life inspirations for Citizen Kane and any controversy they'll cause.

Related: Every David Fincher Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

Mank trailer featuring Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried

Unsurprisingly for a Fincher movie, Mank boasts exemplary technical aspects, as the director authentically recreates 1930s Hollywood. Everything from the production design to the costumes helps transport the audience back to that time period, with the gorgeous black-and-white cinematography further complementing the aesthetic. Even though Mank is a modern movie, it has the look and feel of something that was made many decades ago, which is due in large part to its connection to Citizen Kane. There are shot compositions and moments meant to invoke memories of Welles' iconic work, lovingly paying homage to the source material. Mank is clearly a passion project for Fincher (the script was written by his late father, Jack), so it isn't surprising a meticulous craftsman like himself went to great lengths to nail Mank's visuals.

Much like Citizen KaneMank's screenplay employs a nonlinear narrative, jumping back and forth between sequences of Herman working on the script and flashbacks to key incidents and interactions from his life (primarily dealing with the 1934 California gubernatorial race) that helped inform Citizen Kane. This approach allows Mank to become a fascinating examination into how Citizen Kane came to be, and those familiar with the film will see how its narrative came together in Herman's eyes. Mank's political aspect is particularly interesting, as Fincher is able to draw some parallels to current times (see: a "fake news" reel designed to sway voters) that add a little more to the story to help it resonate with viewers. At the same time, it's amusing to see a snapshot of a period when Hollywood was so openly in favor of electing a Republican candidate.

Tom Burke as Orson Welles in Mank

Oldman carries Mank with another one of his chameleon-like turns, disappearing into the titular role with a compelling performance that highlights numerous traits and aspects of a complicated man's personality. He always commands the viewer's attention, molding Herman into a fascinating person to watch on screen. Oldman's surrounded by a talented supporting cast that also does great work, most notably Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davies (who many believed was the inspiration for Citizen Kane's Susan Alexander Kane). Marion and Herman have an entertaining dynamic with each other illustrated by a handful of sequences where Oldman and Seyfried get to play off one another and match wits. Tom Burke also makes an impression in his limited time as Welles, capturing the presence of the larger-than-life figure that looms over the Citizen Kane production. It surely wasn't easy to play such a distinct individual, but Burke never comes across as someone doing a Welles impersonation.

Mank is somewhat similar to Fincher's The Social Network in that it takes a seemingly mundane topic (writing a script) and looks to dramatize it. That said, Mank lacks the pure entertainment value of that earlier Fincher film, meaning it probably won't be the most accessible or appealing title for general audiences. Mank is clearly made for cinephiles and film historians, which may limit its potential viewership. That actually makes Netflix the ideal venue for its premiere, as it will be able to land with its niche demographic and find success among adult viewers looking for a possible Oscar contender. 2020 has obviously seen a dearth of high-profile releases, so it's nice a new Fincher film is out to fill the void.

More: Watch the Mank Trailer

Mank will be available to stream on Netflix December 4, 2020. It runs 131 minutes and is rated R for some language.

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