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Meryl Streep is so very powerful in her quiet and repose in “The Post”. Two moments distinguished the movie for me. Streep plays widow Kay Graham, publisher and owner of the Washington Post in 1971. Her family owned the newspaper for generations. Being a woman, indicative of that time, her husband became publisher of The Post. Tragically, he died in a suicide. Then Kay took over as Publisher.
At night before tucking her granddaughter to bed, Kay has her daughter Lally, played by bright gentle Allison Brie, read the notes she wrote for her Mom’s speech about her Dad. Kay silently listens as she reads her written notes. Kay gets from Lally that she is stronger than she knows.
After obtaining the “Pentagon Papers”, the top secret study of the Vietnam War that Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, played by brilliant Bruce Greenwood, commissioned, managing editor Ben Bradlee, played by authentic idealist Tom Hanks, is adamant that Kay ‘must publish this’. The “Pentagon Papers” detailed how the US had been losing the Vietnam War over several Administrations.
In Ben’s “come to Jesus” moment his wife Tony, wonderfully compassionate Sarah Paulson, reminds him what’s so. As a consequence of publishing, Ben could lose his job, and perhaps find another job even gaining in reputation. On the other hand, Kay could lose the Post, lose everything in the aftermath. She says that when Kay stands in a room of men, they look passed her just because she’s a woman. In acknowledgment of Kay, Tony says, “I think that’s brave.”
Director Steven Spielberg’s “The Post” authentically captures a time when freedom of speech, of the press, was so vital to who we are. That also resonates perhaps more so today. I believe Liz Hannah and Josh Singer’s story echoes and exposes the culture where women were looked passed, as even less than. This is the #Metoo as well. Meryl gives her best performance in years as Kay, who never raises her voice, yet defines herself in courage and purpose. Her Kay embodies what is noble in humanity.
Washington Post Board Member Arthur, played by righteous Bradley Whitford, lectures Kay of what past Publishers might have done in her position. Kay looks him in the eyes, “I am the owner.” The hero, the leader arises with Streep as Kay. She discovers her calling.
Tom Hanks is an eloquent partnership with Streep on screen. His mastery is a sublime understatement. His Ben is the ordinary man, who becomes extraordinary in defense of our very freedom of expression. He tells Kay, “The way they lied. Those days need to end.” He challenges Mrs. Graham, “What are you going to do?” Tom’s authenticity is to behold.
In history, the case of The Washington Post and freedom of the Press goes before the US Supreme Court. In the ruling: “The Press was to serve the governed, not the governors.” Those words live. In these days of multi-platform media coverage and so-called “fake news”, Spielberg’s “The Post” powerful reminds that speaking and hearing truth resides with us.
There is a great power and responsibility in protecting the freedom of speech, of the press, of what is said. Power too resides in how we listen to all that is said. That is eloquent in “The Post”.
–Originally Published on IMDb
Photo Credit: Fox Movies
Youtube: 20th Century Fox
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