The Post

“The Post” is an incredible drama detailing the plight of journalists within the Nixon administration. The story centers around The Washington Post reports of Daniel Ellsburg’s findings, called The Pentagon Papers, on what previous administrations had been hiding from the American public and what the news outlets should do about it.  

Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep star as the charismatic editor Ben Bradlee and the powerful publisher Katharine Graham-performances that bolster the intensity of the choices they make in the movie. The two characters are faced with immense responsibility after receiving crucial documents detailing secrets kept from the public. Graham and Bradlee must choose to go against the Secretary of State’s indictment and publish the government’s private affairs, regardless of consequence.

The movie brings up several standing questions in the relationship between media and government. Questions like, do reporters risk their friendships with public officials to uncover their secrets? Do they commit themselves so wholeheartedly to their craft that they risk their position in Washington? How far is too far when it comes to “freedom of the press”? The movie explores these questions and more as it navigates through the relationship between media and state.

An underlying theme in “The Post” is Katharine Graham’s rise to the helm of “The  Washington Post” as a woman in business.

“It’s really important, especially in today’s time,” said Gabriella Warner, 12.

Throughout the movie, Graham’s constituents don’t treat her with equal respect and don’t fully rely on her to steer the helm. As the movie progresses, though, Graham makes final decisions and is admired by up and coming female journalists as she forges a path in a mainly male-dominated field.

“The Post” captures the attention of audiences not through flashy visuals or unexpected story arcs, but by diving into self-exploration and exploration of state. The film makes audiences think, and will hopefully stay with them for years.