Mank (2020) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A screenwriter struggles to protect a dangerous work from political power, personal pressure, and a battle over authorship.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Risky Commission

Welles receives creative freedom and recruits a screenwriter recovering in Victorville. Rita begins transcribing a screenplay whose central figure resembles Hearst.

Key Events

• Welles Receives Creative Freedom — Welles is given complete creative freedom for his next RKO project. Characters: Orson Welles Location: RKO
• Welles Recruits A Screenwriter — Welles recruits a screenwriter recovering in California to write the project. Characters: Orson Welles Location: RKO
• Victorville Writing Retreat — The screenplay is developed during recovery at a remote California residence. Characters: Rita Alexander Location: Victorville, California
• Rita Notices The Similarity — Rita notices similarities between the screenplay's central character and Hearst. Characters: Rita Alexander Location: Victorville, California
• Houseman Questions The Script — Houseman worries that the screenplay is too dense and nonlinear. Characters: John Houseman Location: RKO production offices

Hollywood Power Circles

The flashback narrative introduces Marion, Hearst, Mayer, and the political conversations surrounding Hollywood. Personal familiarity with Hearst becomes increasingly important to the screenplay's risks.

Key Events

• MGM Location Encounter — Marion is encountered at an MGM location and introduces the screenwriter to Hearst. Characters: Marion Davies, Louis B. Mayer Location: MGM location
• Hearst Welcomes Marion's Acquaintance — Hearst takes a liking to the screenwriter after Marion introduces them. Characters: Marion Davies, William Randolph Hearst Location: MGM location
• Birthday Party At Hearst Castle — Hollywood figures discuss Nazi Germany and the upcoming gubernatorial election. Characters: Marion Davies, Louis B. Mayer, William Randolph Hearst Location: Hearst Castle
• Marion And The Writer Stroll — Marion and the screenwriter bond over politics and the film industry. Characters: Marion Davies Location: Hearst Castle grounds

The Propaganda Machine

MGM executives oppose Sinclair and produce smear films funded by Hearst. The campaign succeeds politically, while Shelly's guilt culminates in suicide.

Key Events

• MGM Opposes Sinclair — MGM executives organize opposition to Sinclair's gubernatorial campaign. Characters: Louis B. Mayer, Irving Thalberg Location: MGM studio offices
• Smear Films Enter Production — MGM produces anti-Sinclair propaganda films funded by Hearst. Characters: Louis B. Mayer, Irving Thalberg, Shelly Metcalf, William Randolph Hearst Location: MGM studio
• Marion Cannot Stop The Films — The screenwriter asks Marion to pull the films, but she has already left MGM. Characters: Marion Davies Location: Marion's residence
• Merriam Wins The Election — Mayer announces Merriam's victory at the election-night watch party. Characters: Louis B. Mayer, Marion Davies Location: Trocadero Nightclub
• Shelly Dies By Suicide — After a Parkinson's diagnosis and guilt over the campaign, Shelly shoots himself. Characters: Shelly Metcalf Location: Los Angeles

A Dangerous Manuscript

Houseman pressures the screenwriter, but the screenplay is finished and delivered. Marion tries to protect herself and Hearst by asking for changes.

Key Events

• Houseman Rejects The Draft — Houseman grows impatient as the screenwriter struggles with time and alcoholism. Characters: John Houseman Location: Victorville, California
• The Screenplay Is Finished — The screenplay is completed in time, impressing Houseman despite the credit dispute. Characters: Rita Alexander, John Houseman Location: Victorville, California
• The Draft Reaches The Studio — The completed screenplay is collected for delivery to the studio. Characters: John Houseman Location: RKO studio
• Marion Urges A Rewrite — Marion visits and tries unsuccessfully to persuade the writer to change the screenplay. Characters: Marion Davies Location: Victorville, California

Credit Against Power

A drunken confrontation at Hearst Castle exposes the screenwriter's dependence on Hearst's payroll. Welles and the writer finally clash over rewriting, payment, and credit before sharing recognition.

Key Events

• A Drunken Castle Confrontation — The screenwriter attacks Hearst over Sinclair, and Mayer exposes his dependence on Hearst's payroll. Characters: Marion Davies, Louis B. Mayer, William Randolph Hearst Location: Hearst Castle
• Welles Plans A Rewrite — Welles intends to rewrite the screenplay without the original writer because of pressure surrounding the project. Characters: Orson Welles, John Houseman Location: RKO production offices
• Welles Offers A Buyout — Welles offers a studio buyout, but the writer demands credit under the revived guild. Characters: Orson Welles Location: Victorville, California
• Shared Credit And Academy Award — The writer ultimately receives joint credit with Welles, and they win Best Original Screenplay. Characters: Orson Welles Location: Academy Awards ceremony

Story Breakdown

• RKO Commission — Welles receives freedom to make a film and assigns the screenplay to a recovering writer.
  • Creative Freedom — Welles is given complete creative freedom by RKO.
  • Victorville Assignment — The screenplay is dictated during recovery in Victorville.
• Rita's Transcription — Rita supports the writing process while recognizing the script's potentially dangerous resemblance to Hearst.
  • Dictated Pages — Rita transcribes the screenplay from dictation.
  • Dangerous Resemblance — Rita notices similarities between the central character and Hearst.
• Hearst's Influence — Marion's connection to Hearst brings the screenplay into contact with a powerful personal and political network.
  • Castle Introductions — Marion introduces the screenwriter to Hearst.
  • Marion's Warning — Marion later asks for changes to protect herself and Hearst.
• MGM Campaign — MGM executives use studio resources against Sinclair through propaganda films funded by Hearst.
  • Executive Opposition — Mayer and Thalberg coordinate opposition within MGM.
  • Funded Propaganda — Smear films are produced with Hearst's funding.
• Political Consequences — The campaign's success and Shelly's guilt reveal the human cost of studio politics.
  • Election Night — Mayer announces Merriam's victory at the Trocadero.
  • Shelly's Guilt — Shelly dies by suicide after his diagnosis and remorse.
• Authorship Battle — The completed screenplay becomes the center of a dispute over rewriting, payment, and public credit.
  • Houseman's Pressure — Houseman questions the script and warns that its writer will receive no credit.
  • Welles's Buyout — Welles offers a buyout before the writer demands contractual recognition.
  • Shared Recognition — The writer and Welles ultimately share credit and win the screenplay award.

Directed by

David Fincher

Key Cast

• Gary Oldman — Herman Mankiewicz
• Amanda Seyfried — Marion Davies
• Lily Collins — Rita Alexander
• Arliss Howard — Louis B. Mayer
• Tom Pelphrey — Joseph Mankiewicz