Today the movie adventure shifted into “based on a true story” genre as I experienced The Post. In fact, the next couple of movies fall into this category. In creating a schedule, I inadvertently grouped most of the historical dramas together.
The Post stars Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Bob Odenkirk, Tracy Letts, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood and Matthew Rhys. This historical drama, directed by Steven Spielberg, carries a PG-13 rating, for language, and has a run time of 1 hour and 56 minutes.
The Post is nominated for two Oscars, Best Picture and Best Actress in a Leading Role (Streep).
Set in Washington DC in 1971, this story follows the Vietnam War cover up that involved four presidents: Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. War analyst Daniel Ellsberg (Rhys) hands over copies of top secret documents, detailing the depth of involvement and deception, to the New York Times.
Scooped by the Times, the Washington Post’s editor Ben Bradlee (Hanks) sends his reporters out to find Ellsberg and any other info they can, to get a major headline out as well. Meanwhile, the Times receives a federal restraining order, preventing them from posting further.
This presents a window of opportunity for the Post to get a story out. Journalist Ben Bagdikian (Odenkirk) meets with Ellsberg himself, securing 4000 pages of the security documents, known as the Pentagon Papers. The Post now has a decision to make.
Kay Graham (Streep) is the owner of the newspaper. Her father created the company and passed it on to Kay’s husband. Upon his death, Kay became the sole owner. She has a board, all men, who advise her and oversee decisions, such as taking the company public. In particular, board member Arthur Parsons (Whitford) has a difficult time working with a female owner. Kay seeks support from her friend and ally, Fritz Beebe (Letts).
As the journalists sort through the papers at Bradlee’s house, and begin crafting a breaking story for tomorrow’s newspaper, Kay is faced with the huge task of deciding whether to actually print it or not. She is friends with Bob McNamara (Greenwood), former Secretary of State. He urges her to hold on to the story, as do her legal counsel and the board.
Under threats from President Nixon, Kay and Ben face imprisonment if they publish. More than that, Kay could lose the newspaper company her family has built. Should she back down, to protect her company and her family? Or publish and fight for the freedom of the press?
I calculated that I was 13 years old when this historical event was taking place. Which means I was oblivious to it and the significance it held. When I became more aware of the war in Vietnam, it was winding down. I was fascinated by this movie and the story as I watched it unfold.
The 70s don’t seem so remote to me. I was therefore surprised by the notion held then that a woman couldn’t competently run a company. I enjoyed watching Kay gain confidence in her decision making abilities and her surety that she was doing the right thing. One of my favorite scenes occurred when Kay turned to her doubting board member and declared, “This isn’t my father’s company. This isn’t my husband’s company. This is MY company.” She had to believe that first, before anyone else could.
The real Kay Graham and Ben Bradlee.
I enjoyed The Post. It was well acted and moved at a fast pace, so much so that it was strangely tense as the story unfolded. And at the satisfying conclusion, my fellow movie attendees and I clapped and cheered. I loved that shared moment between us.
I realized that I recognized several in the theater audience. They appear to be doing what I am doing…watching all of the Best Picture nominated films…and they happen to be tracking with me, appearing at the same movies at the same times. I so appreciate that Regal Theaters opted to create the Best Picture Film Festival this year. They had a poster up today. There was even a special price for the series, although I used my Movie Pass card. What a great idea, though, and no wonder others are taking advantage of this fun opportunity.
As I shared previously, I had no prior knowledge that this festival was coming. I just expressed a desire to see all of the best picture nominated movies before the Oscars aired…and voila!
I sincerely hope this is a yearly event!
