Mank

The retro style and Gary Oldman’s performance help carry this film

Honestly, despite an intriguing subject matter, in a very interesting political period, Mank is truly a slog to get through.

It’s soooo slow, which typically is fine - but there’s no payoff or reason for it being so. I feel like there was a way to tell this story through a different lens or perspective that would have made a more engaging watch. Whilst dialogue is strong, it sits within scenes that aren’t… Content aside, it’s very well made, cinematography is lush, stunning lighting, effective sound design and top of class production design - all of it encapsulates the era of Hollywood with powerful immersion.

Gary Oldman is pitch perfect here, he’s always been a brilliant actor, and I wish he would step back into film after disappearing into Slow Horses. I can’t help but feel Amanda Seyfried really should have won Best Supporting Actress, she’s the best performer in the film - a bolt of energy that you yearn for in each scene. Tom Burke is kinda uncanny as Orson Welles - I wish it was a bigger role!

Trying to rewatch some Fincher before the Cliff Booth Sequel comes out, as there are some of his films, like this, which I’ve not seen for a ghastly long time. This unfortunately, is his weakest film…

loved that the whole film was in black and white!

it was long & a bit confusing but the acting & style is fantastic