The ideals of journalism can be lofty. Choosing what to cover in a newspaper can have enormous consequences. And actually holding the powerful accountable can be difficult to follow through on.
“The Post”, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, explores the purpose of journalism and its importance in our society. When the Pentagon Papers were released by the New York Times, exposing how 5 presidential administrations had lied about the Vietnam war to the American Public, President Richard Nixon sued the Times in order to stop them from publishing. The movies details the fallout of the embargo and how The Washington Post continued to publish the papers and fight to for the public’s right to information.
Both Streep and Hanks are dynamic in their roles, as they play Katherine Graham and Ben Bradlee, respectively. Streep hits just the right notes as Graham, who at the time of The Pentagon Papers publishing was the newly named head of the Washington Post. She brings both a steely determination and a shy vulnerability to a role that is easily one of her best in years. And Hanks is terrific as Bradlee, the editor and chief who pushes for the papers to be published. In the film, Bradlee believes that the role of journalism is print what the public needs, and that if they bow to the threats of Richard Nixon the entire country will lose. The performances of Streep and Hanks elevate a movie that already had compelling writing an powerful direction.
“The Post” is terrific movie dedicated to the power of the newspaper and deserves accolades it will most almost certainly receive. The film earns its place among the other greats in the genre, and will be held up as a tribute journalism long after it leaves the theatre.
5 stars out of 5.
