While we will have to wait until December 6 to see what critics think of Steven Spielberg’s “The Post,” the first online reactions have started to trickle in about the fact-based film starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks.
Early viewers praise the film about the Washington Post’s handling of the Pentagon Papers in the 1970s, especially Streep’s performance, which many have called “stunning,” “astounding” and her “best performance in years.”
“THE POST rules. The best Spielberg movie since MUNICH,” IndieWire’s David Ehrlich tweeted. “Meryl Streep is almost *Holly Hunter in Broadcast News good* in this movie. ALMOST. not quite. BUT ALMOST.”
“I pretty much loved THE POST,” BuzzFeed’s Adam B. Vary wrote. “Streep: Her best perf in years. Hanks: Delightfully irascible. The rest of the cast: Great. I expected its depiction of journalism to feel vital & sentimental. I did not expect Spielberg to make his first overtly feminist film since The Color Purple.”
Other critics lauded the film’s timeliness, especially “in an era when journalism is under assault,” as well as the camera work and John Williams’ score.
Streep stars as Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham, the first woman to publish a major American newspaper. Hanks plays editor Ben Bradlee (Hanks), and the pair race to uncover a web of government secrets that spanned three decades and four U.S. presidents.
This is the first time Streep and Hanks have appeared together in a film. In addition to directing, Spielberg also produced the film with Amy Pascal and Kristie Macosko Kriege. The script was written by Liz Hannah and Josh Singer.
The ensemble cast includes Alison Brie, Carrie Coon, David Cross, Bruce Greenwood, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, Sarah Paulson, Jesse Plemons, Matthew Rhys, Michael Stuhlbarg, Bradley Whitford and Zach Woods.
“The Post” opens in select theaters Dec. 22 and nationwide January 12, 2018.
Read the first reviews below.
Exhilarating. Profound. Confident. Thrilling. Spielberg’s #ThePost might not be the best movie I’ve seen this year, but it speaks to now in ways that set my heart ablaze. Streep is stunning.
— Sara M Fetters (@MoviefreakSara) November 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/davidehrlich/status/935376052335120384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiewire.com%2F2017%2F11%2Fthe-post-first-reviews-meryl-streep-best-performance-spielberg-1201901556%2F
Also, whether I'm objective or not, I will say that what Meryl Streep does in this movie, building a narrative about her character with each line, move, and gesture, is, even by her standards, astounding.
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) November 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/alissamarie/status/935375162110816257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiewire.com%2F2017%2F11%2Fthe-post-first-reviews-meryl-streep-best-performance-spielberg-1201901556%2F
I pretty much loved THE POST. Streep: Her best perf in years. Hanks: Delightfully irascible. The rest of the cast: Great. I expected its depiction of journalism to feel vital & sentimental. I did not expect Spielberg to make his first overtly feminist film since The Color Purple.
— Adam B. Vary (@adambvary) November 28, 2017
for serious: I yelped and shrieked aloud a handful of times. at one point I grabbed @jhoffman’s knee with my whole hand. it’s another entry in Spielberg’s worship of PROCESS and I adore it
— David Sims (@davidlsims) November 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/jhoffman/status/935375607529197568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiewire.com%2F2017%2F11%2Fthe-post-first-reviews-meryl-streep-best-performance-spielberg-1201901556%2F
https://twitter.com/cevangelista413/status/935372688528351232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiewire.com%2F2017%2F11%2Fthe-post-first-reviews-meryl-streep-best-performance-spielberg-1201901556%2F
Steven Spielberg's "The Post" is a timely look at the importance of journalism. Hanks rips his role to shreds while Streep shows up with an angelic grace. Kaminski's camera work & Williams' score are standouts. First 30 mins drag but comes home by the end. A crowdpleaser #ThePost pic.twitter.com/xGP4fosvj7
— Clayton Davis – Stand with ?? (@ByClaytonDavis) November 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/alissamarie/status/935375362552467457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hollywoodreporter.com%2Fnews%2Fpost-first-reactions-steven-spielbergs-timely-ode-journalism-1062014
Simply put: #ThePost is the best Spielberg film since 'Saving Private Ryan.' Spectacular ensemble cast lead by a pair of powerhouse leads turns from Hanks and Streep. Eerily timely, vitally important & exciting.
— EscapeIntoFilm (@EscapeIntoFilm) November 28, 2017
We can talk about THE POST? Let's talk about THE POST. It's excellent. A rousing crowdpleaser about the freedom of the press? Sold. I loved it. Spielberg's best film since Munich.
— Josh Horowitz (@joshuahorowitz) November 28, 2017
Saw #ThePost tonight. It might be great. It certainly feels important in an era when journalism is under assault. It also feels important in an era where men are learning how many women are under assault. #KayGraham
— Ben Mankiewicz (@BenMank77) November 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/robbiereviews/status/935453515648036866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.indiewire.com%2F2017%2F11%2Fthe-post-first-reviews-meryl-streep-best-performance-spielberg-1201901556%2F
The Post is an important film, not just to history, but to the now. Streep is amazing. My audience broke into applause at least 6 times during the movie itself. Spielberg’s best film since Munich.
— /Film (@slashfilm) November 28, 2017
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