Review of The Post (2017) by Bob K — 14 Jan 2018

This film should be seen as a simultaneous tribute and a damning indictment of the press. The Post once upon a time followed Daniel Ellsberg's lead. Daniel Ellsberg was prosecuted under the Espionage Act, and beat the rap. What President prosecuted more whistleblowers under the Espionage Act than all others combined? Obama. How many Post readers know that? What Presidential candidate got the most absurd circus-like coverage in modern history? Duh (that's his real name).

Since WaPo is a congregation of humans (and Jeff Bezos) it will reflect human flaws. One of the most impressive lessons of this film, and there are many, is that the press cannot be chummy with the government. Must not. No cigar smoking on the Sequoia allowed any more. The movie goes to great pains, obvious ones, to make some very important points, and that is only one of them. I loved the scenes illustrating gender issues. Katherine Graham wading through a crowd of young women on the Supreme Court steps is not remotely subtle, but Spielberg makes it feel profound, not forced. That's what he does all the time. So many critical messages here for the real press, and for the rest of us. Ask yourself, are you a "media consumer" or a reader of the news? Distinguish, recognize, and discriminate.

For journalists, I hope this film inspires professionalism and rigor more than it evokes nostalgia. Run that baby.