Tanya’s Score: Okay-and-a-half*
Rated: PG
Starring: Drexel, Cosette, Emily Cooper
Plot: A glimpse at a brief time in notable screenwriter / alcoholic Herman Mankiewicz’s (Gary Oldman) life as he struggles to complete the screenplay for legendary film Citizen Kane.
Tanya’s Verdict: This movie reeks of the Oscars – everything about it seems to have been carefully constructed in order to take home as many statues as possible. Who cares if it’s a bit dull in terms of plot and visuals. Who cares if there’s a whole lot of important-sounding dialogue that you have to strain to catch – and honestly – it doesn’t really matter if you miss it. Who cares that it borders on pretension.
Mank was made for a very specific and select audience – individuals who give a hoot about significant moments in cinematic history – perhaps a cinephile historian? And while I do fancy myself somewhat of a cinephile, this movie just didn’t do it for me. It wasn’t awful – but it just wasn’t all that great either.
Gary Oldman, on the other hand, did a remarkable job portraying the caustic and cynical title character. If he wins the Oscar, it will be well-deserved.
*Four score descriptions: Sh**; Okay; Good; Great