The Post - movie review

The Post

Plot: A cover-up that spanned four U.S. Presidents pushed the country's first female newspaper publisher and a hard-driving editor to join an unprecedented battle between the press and the government.
Cast: Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson
Director: Steven Spielberg
Certificate: 12A (strong language, brief battle violence)
Runtime: 1hr 56 mins
Release Date: Friday 19th January 2018

'Fake News' is a phrase that has been coined fairly frequently especially by a specific toupee wearing, Oompa Loompa looking, pussy grabbing 'President' so it's timely and appropriate that a film comes along praising the journalistic integrity of a group of people that stood up to the government to provide the truth to the world. The Post, on paper (pun intended), sounds like the most perfect assembly of talent. Hanks. Streep. Spielberg. This could have been a film about cutting grass and I would have still been there opening night.

Iconic. 

After this and Spotlight, this new sub-genre of journalistic dramas has become one of my favourites. You wouldn't necessarily think that a two hour movie about journalists investigating a possible story and then debating whether to print said story, could make for a thrilling and intense experience but as Spotlight and now, The Post, have proven, it does. The Post works tremendously thanks to the incredible ensemble that Spielberg has wrangled together. It's baffling to think that until this very moment, neither Hanks nor Streep, undeniably two of the biggest actors in the history of Hollywood, have shared the screen together and it's so gratifying to see this union under the direction of the greatest living director, Steven Spielberg. It should come as no surprise to reveal that as ever, Tom Hanks is on top form as Ben Bradlee, the executive editor of The Washington Post and the lead journalist to publish the story exposing the American government for their secretive and horrifying acts towards the Vietnam War. Hanks plays the role with a considerable amount of class and decorum but uses the brilliantly written dialogue to his advantage spurting out some great Hanks yells. Meryl Streep however, is an interesting talking point for myself. Those of you who either know me or have followed my blog for a while now may understand that I am not Meryl Streep's biggest fan. Personally speaking, Streep is a great actress but I'm not one of those people who see her as the greatest living being and worship the ground she walks on. As an actress, she's fine, perhaps slightly overrated (especially as she's nominated for a role every single year even if it's not all that good) but in The Post, I was given some humble pie to munch on because, and this is a big step for me, Meryl Streep is exceptional as Kathy Graham, the head of the Washington Post. The character of Graham was a complex one and would pose a challenging job for any actress but Streep plows through this without breaking a sweat. Her performance is a tale of two halves. When we first meet Graham, she's very socially awkward and is always silenced and shut down by men as they negotiate the future of her business for her. However, as the film progresses, we see a transformation of Graham as she stands up to the oppression and creates her own path and legacy. My only complaint about Graham's arc is occasionally used to fill time just at the precise moment when Bradlee and his investigation was hitting its peak. Some of the time, it felt like they cut away to Streep having dinner parties at the worst moment possible.

Meryl Streep - speed reading champion.

FACT: In all of the scenes depicting President Nixon on the phone in the Oval Office, the actual Nixon's voice is heard from White House tapes.

On the topic of slight downsides about the film, it took a little while to get going. The Post spends a good fifteen to twenty minutes setting up the context as we jump over to Vietnam for brief period and then are introduced to a day in the life of a Washington Post journalist. It's only when the film hits the twenty minute mark that events are officially kicked into motion and we all can stop twiddling our thumbs and get fully invested. Apart from those two minor issues, The Post is a brilliant tour de force of filmmaking. It serves as a good reminder that whilst we all know Spielberg for his giant blockbusters and landmark films, he is superb behind the camera no matter the budget. It was clear to me that he had a particular interest into the actual printing of newspapers as he shoots some very intricate and unique sequences of the printing press. The Post also works wonders thanks to its plethora of supporting talent. Hanks and Streep may pave the way with their bravado and dominating performances but they would not work as well as they did if it weren't fellow performances by Bob Odenkirk, Bruce Greenwood and Sarah Paulson who all help elevate the film to an extraordinary level and nearly steal every scene they appear in. Thanks to fast paced editing, witty dialogue hurtling at you at a million miles an hour and some truly stunning cinematography that allows makes the film feel more like a gripping documentary, The Post had me hooked and completely invested in the story it was trying to tell me. With films like these (a film in which I knew nothing about in regards to the true story), I look for them to inform me about the subject matter so I know enough to follow the plot but it never to feel like a history lesson. The Post informs, never teaches. When the information is flying at you thick and fast, you're never going to pick up every tid bit yet thanks to Spielberg's assured direction, the main points stick so you're able to make heads and tails of the ensuing drama.

Either she's found a ground-breaking story or the world's cutest cat video.

The Post serves as a great reminder that journalists aren't all about getting the latest celebrity sex scoop or jumping on a bandwagon about a clearly untrue story. In actual fact, they can serve as a voice for the people and a platform to stand up to authority when it's tough for others to. Hanks and Streep are brilliant as always and Spielberg provides a real intensity to proceedings. In an ideal world, a world leader ,who shall remain unnamed for the purpose of this review, would watch The Post and realise the error of his ways but in terrifying reality, would most likely shove popcorn in his Tangoed face and complain that there isn't enough explosions. I for one, think The Post is incredible and an absolute must for all.

My Verdict: 9/10

What did you think of The Post? What is your favourite journalistic drama? Sound off in the comments below.

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