Before we begin, it should be noted that reviews for David Fincher‘s much anticipated new film “Mank” are currently embargoed. In that context, we’re only here to just discuss the “Netflix International Pictures” release as a potential Oscar contender. And, as the months of hype has suggested, it’s going to be a major player this season. The surprise, however, isn’t Gary Oldman’s committed performance as the title character or Fincher’s “Citizen Kane”-inspired aesthetic. Those were practically a given. Instead, it’s Amanda Seyfried‘s turn as William Randolph Hearst’s big-screen muse (and mistress) Marion Davies that lingers in your memory.
Obviously, “stealing a movie” as ambitious as “Mank” is no easy task, but Seyfried arguably gives Davies more depth than Oldman does as Herman J. Mankiewicz who is more than impressive enough in his own right. Mank, as he was nicknamed, was a Hollywood screenwriter Davies’ befriended in the 1930s and brought into the inner circle of media mogul Hearst, played by Charles Dance (longshot for a Supporting Actor nod). Seyfried, whose studio career also features acclaimed work in projects such as HBO’s “Big Love,” “Nine Lives,” “Les Miserables” and “First Reformed,” is a very serious contender in the Best Supporting Actress category. And not just for a nomination, she’s that good.
Other expected nominations include Oldman for Best Actor, Fincher for Best Director and Jack Fincher for Original Screenplay. Up and coming Director of Photography Erik Messerschmidt should also land a Best Cinematography nomination for what is essentially his first narrative film as a DP (he collaborated with Fincher on “Mindhunter” and has also shot for “Raised by Wolves” and “Legion”). In fact, like most Fincher productions the film is a crafts nominations dream. Donald Graham Burt could win his second Oscar for Production Design while Trish Summerville should earn her first nomination for Costumes. Make-up and Hair, Visual Effects and the newly combined Sound category are also likely nods. Kirk Baxter, who already won two Oscars thanks to Fincher (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” “The Social Network”), should earn his fourth nomination for “Mank.”
And Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who just landed the “E” in EGOT with only the “T” to go, deliver a score that many would never have dreamed would be so wonderfully in their comfort zone. The “Social Network” winners are a lock for an Original Score nomination this time around.
Of course, despite over two decades of critical acclaim Fincher still hasn’t landed in the Oscar winner circle himself. Is Best Director his for the taking? He’s certainly in the running, but “Nomadland’s” Chloe Zhao is probably still the frontrunner at the moment. As for taking Oscar’s Best Picture crown? I mean, a black and white movie inspired by the making of “Citizen Kane” that chronicles a forgotten era of Hollywood history through the eyes of a misunderstood screenwriter? How could it not be in the race? That being said, the aforementioned “Nomadland” and “Minari” might have a wee bit more heart for Academy members. Maybe. Like many contenders this season, the fact it will be difficult for many members to see it in theaters due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t help. We’d advise cinephiles in Los Angeles and New York to either take a road trip to check it out safely in Orange County or Upstate New York or head to their local drive-in. This is truly a movie that needs to be seen on the big screen.
“Mank” will have a limited theatrical release on Nov. 13. It will arrive on Netflix on Dec. 4.