The Post: Review

Meryl Streep appears in The Post, her second publishing picture following 2006's The Devil Wears Prada, this time playing a far warmer character than the ice princess fashionista Miranda Priestly. America's first female newspaper owner is led into battle against the the White House over covered up Government Vietnam war secrets, leading to an almost impossible decision.

​Spielberg remarkably captures the blood, sweat and tears of the publishing world - from lingering one-take scenes and tense over the shoulder camera work, to upper floors rattling from the thundering printers down below. Spielberg has a knack for placing you right within the action rather than inviting you to feel like a privileged, silent observer - you can almost smell the sweat, cigarette smoke and printing ink.

The Post assembles a collection of hacks who don't just sit back and let authority roll over them but fight down to the wire for what they believe - risking everything to make Joe Public aware of the truth. This gritty get up and go attitude runs throughout - intensified by the pressures of time as the film races to the final print. From beginning to end, The Post is a blissfully directed picture.

I'm of course telling what you already know, but Streep and Hanks absolutely star performers,   actors of their calibre and experience never appear to take on dull or lacklustre roles. Both continue to expand their portfolio,  a worldly, empowering performance from Streep and a swaggering turn for Hanks. When considering the number of powerful female roles Streep has delivered, the actress could quite easily begin her own newspaper, covering her wide and successful career. 

After all, the pages of this edition wouldn't piece together so fanatically well if The Post hadn't such a marvellously typed narrative.  A story that binds individuals - one of integrity and bravery under fire and in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Highlighted by the international man of movies Stephen Spielberg and his magnificent crew of consistently faultless stars, The Post is as exceptionally enjoyable as it is intelligent and informative. 

The Post is yet another prime example of Spielberg's captivating cinema craft. One embarks on this journey through 1971 experiencing the sweaty palms and held breath first hand as its story grinds towards its climax. The Post is like reading the morning paper...with a stiff glass of whisky to hand! 

The Post:

Good