Movie Review:THE POST-The importance of telling the truth.

  THE POST, directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks breaks no new ground in the depiction of journalism. However, Spielberg breathes life into the true story of journalists investigating a government coverup of the Vietnam War that spanned four Presidents.  Spielberg has always had a gift for making an audience care about what is happening on the screen. THE POST is another stellar example of Spielberg's cinematic gift of storytelling.
  THE POST isn't about the story the journalists of the Washington Post wanted to publish. It's about the truth our Government didn't want the American people to know. Ultimately, THE POST is about whether or not The Washington Post had the right to publish the truth, regardless of how damaging the information could have been to the Government or more importantly, to the American people.
  What works and doesn't work for THE POST?  First, the negative.
    1.) It breaks no new ground depicting film journalism. This isn't as much about the story being published as it is about the decision making the process a newspaper or television network goes through, to tell the truth to its audience.
  2.)The Pacing-It takes a little bit of time for the film to its voice. It takes it's time laying out the basis for all that follows. That can have a negative impact on the viewer who is used to having things laid out in a faster-paced fashion. Once the groundwork is established, we get cinematic gold.
  Now for the good, or great about THE POST.
  1.)The cast, featuring Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Bob Odenkirk, Jesse Plemons and Bradly Whitford. Fantastic cast and wonderful performances by all, even those I failed to mention. This film belongs to Meryl Streep, though. Like in the movie, the entire film rests on her shoulders. She more than carries it. More so than any other movie she has made in the past.
  2.) STEVEN SPIELBERG. The man is masterful. THE POST is yet another example of his cinematic superpowers. One sequence bares mentioning. I will refer to it as the decision-making sequence. The sequence in question is a marriage of excellent writing, acting and directing that makes this edge of your seat entertainment. He ties all the elements together in superb fashion. He IS a masterful filmmaker.
 3.) THE SCREENPLAY. This is excellent writing. Spielberg nor the cast would not be able to use their gifts to great effect if the screenplay was not top notch. Written by Liz Hannah and Josh Singer, the two have crafted a story that takes it's time laying out the facts and letting all that information play out in dramatic fashion.
 4.) THE MUSIC. Composer John Williams knows how to match music wise whatever Spielberg creates on the screen. They've worked together for almost 50 years. His score is at once tense and explosive, tender and beautiful the next moment. He is a master of the film score.
 In closing, THE POST is a riveting film about making a decision that has the power to ruins lives and a Government. It is also about telling the truth, whether or not the truth being told could shatter reputations or an entire Government.
   For those that worry if the film is a political agenda against our current sitting President, I can tell you it is not. It is a reminder to our elected officials that the decisions they make and the truths they withhold affect all Americans-past, present, and future.
 I give THE POST an A.