Mank

THE GIST: A series of flashbacks show us key moments in the life of Herman Mankiewicz, while he's bedridden and under intense pressure to finish his screenplay for Citizen Kane.

Nominated for ten Academy Awards, Mank became this year's hope for Netflix to finally nab that much coveted Best Picture Oscar, but the odds are not in its favor, and rightly so.

The movie is a throwback to old Hollywood in all its glory, presented in a gloriously lush black and white, and showcases sets, props, costumes, and makeup from that bygone era that certainly look exquisite. Even the camerawork recalls the movies of old.

The screenplay is rich with details, and monologues, and dialogues, but perhaps it goes a bit overboard, with lines delivered in rat-a-tat fashion that leave the audience almost breathless . . . and overwhelmed. Unsurprisingly, it wasn't nominated.

Certainly the cast does a great job, with Gary Oldman delivering one of his finest performances. There are just so many characters and things happening at any one time, that it's hard to keep up at times.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Certainly enjoyable for any cinema aficionados out there. Might be a bit heavy for the general public.

Grade: 7.5