Robert Chipman
Today, Netflix dropped the first teaser for their new film, Mank, and by god, is it glorious! David Fincher’s latest film, starring Gary Oldman as the title character, teases the audience with a show-stoppingly, brilliant one minute trailer detailing the life of Herman J. Mankiewicz.
Echoing trailers and styles of films past, the traMiler opens with an old fashioned MPAA logo before dropping us into what feels like an alternate version of Citizen Kane. With Mank on his death bed, Orson Welles states: “I think it’s time we talked.” We then flashback to moments involving Mank and his struggles including compulsive gambling and penchant for the drink.
Though light on the plot details, the trailer emphasizes a love for past Hollywood while showcasing David Fincher’s keen eye for detail. The story behind the making of Citizen Kane is one for the books, while the trailer seems to show Mank and William Randolph Hearst (Charles Dance) most at odds. Ultimately, the trailer for Mank looks to be a story about a man struggling with many external and internal demons while involved with one of the most important moments in Hollywood history.
Being six years since his last film Gone Girl, any new film by David Fincher is welcome. Written by his late father, Jack Fincher, and under the care of his son, Mank has the potential to be one of the best films of the year. Currently, Mank does not have a release date, but look for Netflix to announce one in the near future.
What were your thoughts on the first trailer for Mank?
