The Post

Newspapers often make the news for reporting the news. The Washington Post is one. Its newsmaking qualities were depicted by Alan Pakula in All the President's Men. Steven Spielberg now depicts another story of The Post in, The Post.

It's 1971. Kay Graham (Meryl Streep) is the publisher of The Washington Post. Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) is the editor of The Post. They have a problem. They were just handed a shoe-box of documents related to the Vietnam War. The Pentagon Papers reveal the ugly truths behind the Vietnam War. The New York Times covered the Papers but were stopped by the White House. It's an important story that they can't publish. But newspapers such as theirs have to hold the government accountable. So what's a good newspaper to do?

Report.

Josh Singer and Liz Hannah's screenplay goes surprisingly quick for a wordy story. It's 115 minutes and it didn't feel like it. Graham's history was involving but I wish it was elaborated on. The New York Times, as a whole, was a way too minor character. The climactic Supreme Court showdown ends in both papers' favors, but we don't see the Times' part. The characters aren't really challenged by the Government until the very end. It's one of those movies that makes history a foregone conclusion. The movie even ends just as the Watergate break-in is discovered.

But a few technical choices make the film worth it. When whistleblower Daniel Ellsburg (Matthew Rhys) and his friends read the Pentagon Papers, we feel the magnitude of their disclosed contents. We also feel tension when someone brings up the possibility that the Times and the Post share the same source. The decision to rarely show Nixon, except from the back in a White House window, perfectly makes him an ominous threat. These are finely constructed scenes by editors Michael Kahn and Sarah Broshnar. John Williams provides another great score, as usual. There's also some finesse in the sound and production design.

There's a distinguished cast assembled. Hanks and Streep make for a likable pair of news-people. They're honest and diligent and you'll never doubt them. Alison Brie is memorable as Kay's daughter, Lally, as is Bruce Greenwood as Robert McNamara. Bob Odenkirk also makes an impression as Ben Bagdikian, The Post reporter who first receives the Papers. There's also some fine appearances by Michael Stuhlbarg (as Times reporter Abe Rosenthal) and Sarah Paulson as Bradlee's wife, Tony.

The Post is a good reminder for the importance of the free press. You might not agree with them but they have a big part to play. The film plays best for anyone not familiar with the whole story. It's still worth it even if you know the basic outcome of this whole affair. See it now while it's most relevant. And maybe find time to see All the President's Men.