Blu-Ray (4K) Review – The Post

News, Reviews, Top Story

If there was a film that had everything going for it in 2017 it would’ve been The Post. It’s hard to think a story about one of the most prestigious papers in the country (The Washington Post) taking on the Nixon White House over state secrets with one of the best casts of the past 20 years and directed by one of history’s legendary directors wouldn’t make for an amazing film, right?

Wrong.

The Post covers one of the biggest moments in the legacy of the Washington Post: The Pentagon Papers. When the New York Times is barred from publishing them, the Post and legendary editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) have a dilemma on their hands. Do they publish or risk the wrath of a White House that isn’t as press friendly as their predecessors? Throw in owner Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep), fresh off an initial public offering meant to help the paper sustain itself and expand, and there are a number of interesting thread lines coming together during a momentous Supreme Court decision.

It’s a good film, don’t kid yourself, but The Post is like American Hustle in that you’re supposed to think that it is amazing but really isn’t. It’s a sign of the times, of a President unpopular with the media, that this is considered a statement film but one wonders if it was released in 2015 if it history had been as kind to it?

A handful of pieces on the historical aspect of the film give you perspective but not a lot of it.

20th Century Fox presents The Post. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Written by Liz Hannah and Josh Singer. Starring Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Paulson, Tracy Letts, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood, Matthew Rhys. Run Time: 111 minutes. Rated PG-13. Released on 4.17.18