Mank

Year: 2020

Language: English

Director: David Fincher

Budget: $25M

BiographyDrama

During the 1930s in Hollywood, the gifted but struggling screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz grapples with personal struggles as he contributes to the creation of "Citizen Kane." The film explores his experiences and the complex relationship with director Orson Welles, set against the backdrop of the vibrant and sometimes turbulent Golden Age of Hollywood. He finds himself caught up in the intoxicating allure and harsh realities of Tinseltown.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Mank (2020) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Mank (2020), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Mank delves into the life of Herman Mankiewicz, eloquently portraying his experiences from 1933 to 1940, a period during which America was grappling with the harsh realities of the Great Depression while simultaneously being aware of the ominous approach of World War II. The narrative not only highlights Mank’s journey but also weaves in the political backdrop of Upton Sinclair’s left-leaning campaign for the governorship of California, emphasizing how Hollywood united against him.

Sinclair is depicted as championing values that the establishment deemed “anti-American,” with MGM aggressively engaging in what would today be termed disinformation campaigns. This tumultuous environment compels Mank to face his own moral compromises and the minor deceits he has perpetuated.

In a captivating scene, Charles Dance, portraying the formidable William Randolph Hearst, shares a compelling story with Gary Oldman, who plays Mank. He recounts the “parable of the organ grinder’s monkey,” right after Mank has found himself in a drunken tirade, revealing the idealism that underpinned Hearst’s empire. Hearst coolly reminds Mank that he must “dance” whenever the music plays, serving as a stark insight into the bitterness that would ultimately lead to Mank’s downfall in Hollywood.

His defiance against Hearst, backed by Orson Welles, sets in motion a chain of events that leaves Mank jobless, particularly as he struggles with the consequences of his choices. In the backdrop of his tumultuous life, he finds solace in creating Citizen Kane while bedridden with a broken leg, isolated from friends and family, desperately battling his alcohol dependency in pursuit of just one drink, which leads him to win the only Oscar awarded to him.

As he poignantly articulates to a friend, “We have got a huge responsibility, to people in the dark willingly checking their disbelief at the door.” The film skillfully captures the essence of Mank’s complex legacy against the chaos of his times, illustrating the profound impact of personal choice in the landscape of Hollywood and beyond.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 17:26

Ending Explained – What Happens at the End of Mank?

Still wondering what the ending of Mank (2020) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.

Mank’s ending leaves Herman J. Mankiewicz in a bittersweet place. After a career marked by alcohol and disappointment, he finally earns the recognition he craved—his name appears on the screenplay of Citizen Kane, and he delivers a sardonic Oscar acceptance speech, joking about accepting the award “in the manner in which the screenplay was written, which is to say, in the absence of Orson Welles.” This moment of vindication is tinged with irony; while Welles famously claimed the entire film as his own, Mankiewicz’s insistence on getting credit signifies his desire to claim his rightful place in Hollywood history. The ending hints that, despite this triumph, Mank’s personal struggles remain unresolved. His career ended quickly after Citizen Kane, and he battled alcoholism until his early death at just 55. Meanwhile, Welles continued making films until his death in 1985, cementing his status as a legendary director. The film also reminds us that behind the glamor and myth, Hollywood has always been a broken system—cynical, political, and driven by business interests more than creative passion. Mank’s final moments underscore that while he may have claimed his voice, his life was ultimately marred by the cost of that success. The closing scenes reflect on the legacy of the film and its creators, illustrating how fame, credit, and truth are often tangled in Hollywood’s complex web. The movie suggests that Mank’s crowning achievement was not just the screenplay but his courage to speak openly about the industry’s flaws, even if it cost him everything. In the end, Mank’s story is a reminder of the sacrifices behind cinematic greatness and the ongoing struggle for recognition and integrity in a world obsessed with glamour and power.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44

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