Discussing films about real screenwriters this week, we dig into David Fincher’s “Mank” (2020)—the new Netflix film about Herman Mankiewicz and the origins of “Citizen Kane.” Then, we leap to the 21st century to reappraise Charlie Kaufman fictionalizing and splitting himself in “Adaptation” (2002). Finally, it’s Dalton Trumbo’s quest against the Hollywood Blacklist in “Trumbo” (2015).

Each film comes with its own indulgent, even seductive spin on history, but isn’t that what Hollywood does anyway? Make sure to take a whiskey break between cigarettes.