The Post: Movie Review
Starring: Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Alison Brie, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Annika Boras (Rated M – 116 min).
Flawless ensemble punches out dialogue in an acting masterclass doubling as the best Steven Spielberg film in eons.
Beginning in the late 1960s, her majesty Meryl Streep plays iconic editor of The Washington Post Katherine ‘Kay’ Meyer Graham. She pushes people for facts, especially her staff all in the name of exposing the truth behind injustice and government cover-ups. She is a strong woman who is used to men speaking to her or about her – not to her. As part of a legacy of publishers of The Washington Post, she makes harsh and crucial decisions that impact history.
I love a good conspiracy theory in movies, this must-see film has multiple scenarios that build over time. Brilliantly executed by all from a prime screenplay, immaculate period design and costumes of the era are of Oscar quality. You even get to see an office with typewriters on every desk, how cool is that?
The Pentagon papers are a real thing and are dealt with here as a sharp full force history lesson. Scandals are the order of the day taking a sneaky look at corruption, on more corruption, amongst the White House and how far good investigative journalists will go to break stories.
Tom Hanks is Ben Bradlee, an individual who can smell a hot topic story from a mile away. One of my favourite actresses, Sarah Paulson as Ben’s wife Tony Bradlee, may be underused however as always, makes a riveting impression. Lovely talent Alison Brie (The Disaster Artist, How to be Single) chimes into another significant performance proving her versatility around the seasoned cast. The Post is a time capsule but as relevant as ever to front page news today.
Shane A. Bassett
