"POST" THE MOST

          One of the best new movies in a long time.
          Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks star in a true story about the core American value of free speech.
          An old school throwback hearkening to political thrillers such as All the President's Men (1976), The Post details the leaked Department of Defense admission that the Vietnam War was a losing effort carried on through four Presidents, not because it was necessary, but primarily in order to save face.
          Set mostly in 1971, the film hinges on the decision of America's first female newspaper publisher, Kay Graham (Streep), to run the leak for the benefit of the American people--"Our readers are our leaders"--or bury it per the demands of the Nixon Administration.
          It is a story from a time when journalism had the power to hold elected authority accountable. According to Ben Bradlee (Hanks), the editor of The Washington Post, "We can't have an administration dictating our coverage."
          Meanwhile, the paper is in the process of being purchased by new owners, bankers not remotely interested in First Amendment rights, but rather only desirous of profitability.
          For filmgoers accustomed to seemingly endless special effects-saturated superhero movies, The Post may come as a shocking aberration. Surprisingly fast-paced, the film immerses the viewer in a time when reporters were resourceful, newspapers had teeth, and the concept of a vindictive administration terrorizing democracy with an enemies list was repugnant and unacceptable.
          "We have to be the check on their power," Bradlee asserts. "If we don't hold them accountable, who will?"
          At no point in the film will audiences forget the star power of the lead performers. For Streep and Hanks these are terrific roles perfectly suited to their respective professional caliber. What might surprise is to find the director is some new guy named Steven Spielberg. Keep your eye on him. He's going places.
          True, for historical accuracy, the shirt collars could well be bigger, and ditto for the sideburns. Wisely, the filmmakers chose to reduce the jarring impact of these images, and softened the blow by making the collars and the sideburns less gigantic than in reality. But everything else is remarkably authentic.
          A potent reminder of where we've been, The Post is one of those rare movie experiences with the power to entertain us with a story, and also make us think about where we are long after we've left the theater.




THE POST
Starring Meryl Streep,
Tom Hanks,
Bob Odenkirk,
Sarah Paulson,
Bruce Greenwood,
Matthew Rhys,
Carrie Coon
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Written by Liz Hannah, Josh Singer
Runtime 116 minutes
Rated PG-13

Stewart Kirby writes for