Capsule Review (Minor Spoilers):

The Post is a movie about The Washington Post, a newspaper trying to make a name for itself in the early 1970s. the come across a story that is very controversial, and agonize over publishing it, as the consequences can be catastrophic.

Based on the actual events, it’s a great story of the era, and serves as allegory for the current political climate regarding “fake” news.  Recommended.

Main Review

Kay Graham (Meryl Streep) has assumed the role of publisher for The Washington Post. She took on the role after her husband, the former publisher, died. He was given the job by her father, the previous publisher, but hasn’t really taken control yet. She relies on her advisers, and is about to list the paper on the American Stock Exchange to raise funds and keep the paper afloat.

The story opens  in the later 1960s with an observer Daniel Ellsberg (Matthew Rhys).  He is working for the Secretary of State, Robert McNamara (Bruce Greenwood). They are in Vietnam, attempting to determine the state of things, which aren’t going well. McNamara returns to the U.S. and declares the war is going well, which is exactly the opposite of what he says privately. McNamara eventually commissioned a report on the state of affairs regarding Vietnam, and it confirms what he’s been saying behind closed doors.

That doesn’t site well with Ellsberg, gets his hands on a copy of the report, and reaches out to the press. Unfortunately, it’s the New York Times. Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks), the editor of the Post, tried to determine this, but didn’t succeed before it went to print. However, the Times only printed the beginning of their analysis, and the government makes them stop. It’s not looking too good for any publication of the story, until part  of the report shows up on a reporter’s desk at the Post.

It becomes a morality play on the role of the media, and how far they could or should go.  Everyone in the cast gives a strong performance, and none of it is overdone. I kept struggling to recognize all the actors involved, and some I just couldn’t figure out until the credits rolled.  It’s quite a compelling film, especially if you like films about what it takes to get news out. It wasn’t too ‘inside baseball’ to appreciate what they did, and how it was accomplished.

This is an important movie, and is definitely worth seeing. Highly recommended.