The Post

The Post, released in 2017, is an expression of an admired collaboration between powerhouse performers Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks. Directed by none other than Steven Spielberg, it is an intense representation of the power and necessity of a free press, setting the stakes as political deception versus journalistic duty. Sarah Paulson also stars in the film, enhancing its narrative power with her renowned acting prowess.

The Post is based on the true events surrounding the leaking and subsequent publishing of the Pentagon Papers — a set of classified documents regarding the Vietnam War and America's role in it. With the setting being the 1970s, viewers are treated to an authentic representation of the gritty, smoke-fogged newsrooms of the time, with typewriters clacking away, accompanied by the rustling of papers. However, this period also endows the movie with a more grim vibe, reminding us of when women's roles were marginalized, especially in high-powered positions.

In this story, Meryl Streep's character, Katharine Graham, is the publisher of The Washington Post. Graham was the first-ever woman publisher of an American newspaper and is portrayed as a woman who battles the patriarchy while navigating her way through a challenging time in history. Streep brings sophistication and subtlety to this character and makes us root for her in her quest to secure The Post's independence.

Opposite Streep, Tom Hanks plays the role of Ben Bradlee, the executive editor of The Washington Post. His character is boisterous and daring with Hanks’ effectively bringing out the editor's determination to publish the truth, regardless of the consequences. The dynamic between Streep and Hanks is intricately meshed — a delicate dance where both powerful roles inform and embolden each other.

We see the movie reach its pivotal height when a massive leak of government documents lands on Bradlee's desk. This leak includes data revealing that the US government had been lying about the Vietnam War's progress to its citizens, stirring up Bradlee's journalistic instinct. The question becomes whether to publish this sensitive information and risk legal consequences that could even lead to the newspaper's closure and imprisonment for those involved, or to shelter the truth to keep The Post, as an institution, and its employees safe.

Sarah Paulson, who portrays Tony Bradlee, Ben's wife, adds a strong performing presence to the show. Her character is seen giving much-needed support and wisdom to her husband at a time of extreme crisis. The strength Paulson brings to her character emits a soft power which is impactful and significant to the overall narrative arc.

Steven Spielberg paints this story with brisk strokes, leading us through this dramatic high-stakes race where each side – The Post and the Nixon administration – seems equally formidable. Viewers are left to mull over the importance of journalism’s role in holding ruling powers accountable. The narrative puts forward the idea as resonant today as it was in the Nixon era - the press must remain a check on power and continue to agitate for truth and transparency.

Furthermore, Spielberg's directing style, paired with John Williams' emotive score, engages us with a palpable sense of urgency and tension, offering an evocative cinematic experience. The dialog is sharp and clever, which when delivered by the experienced cast, gives a thrilling edge to the screenplay. He also subtly underlines the gender disparities of the era, adding an extra layer to the narrative.

The Post is impactful in its representation, not just of a true story, but also of the very essence of investigative journalism. The film’s setting in dramatic 70s America, engaging performances, intense plot, expert direction, and profound underlying messages, cements it as a must-watch for cinephiles. This is a testament to the media’s enduring role in a democratic society that celebrates the unsung heroes of the press who dare to pull back the curtain on government deceit, risking their freedom and livelihood in the pursuit of truth.