10 Films To Get You In The Mood For David Fincher's Mank

10. Capote

Perhaps the oddest mention on this list, Capote deserves a place here for preparing you not to find the writer protagonist of Mank an especially likeable man. This much is assuredly true of the late great Philip Seymour Hoffman's truly spellbinding turn as Truman Capote in a film unafraid to dwell on Capote's most unlikable traits, whilst telling a focused, compelling narrative.

Charting the journey Capote undertakes in writing his nonfiction masterpiece In Cold Blood, which itself concerns the execution of a Kansas family by two criminals, the film is an exquisite period piece and the sort of slow paced, atmospheric drama the likes of which Fincher makes - even though this is not a Fincher picture.

The standout aspect of Capote, however, is Philip Seymour Hoffman's frankly eery turn as the troubled writer, managing somehow to capture every nuance of voice and gesture without ever seeming to be a mere caricature or impression.

The film is worth watching for Hoffman and Hoffman alone, but there's a lot more to take away from this quality drama.