Critics declare Spielberg and Streep's The Post a shoe-in for Oscars
Reviews have been embargoed until early December, but already critics in the US have begun praising Steven Spielberg's new journalist drama The Post to the hilt, with many claiming it to be a shoe-in for Oscar gold come 2018.
The true-life thriller casts Meryl Streep as Katharine Graham, the first female publisher of The Washington Post, who inherited the role from her late husband and quickly found herself embroiled in an unprecedented conspiracy.
She had to decide whether to go against the US government when high-powered officials sought to block the publishing of documents exposing US corruption in the Vietnam war. The documents became known as The Pentagon Papers.
Tom Hanks stars as the Post's editor Ben Bradlee, while the pair are joined by an all-star cast of major TV actors including Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Matthew Rhys, Alison Brie and Bradley Whitford.
And the lucky critics to view the film at its first screenings have taken to social media with uproarious praise, writing that Streep is "sublime" and "amazing", and claiming that it's possibly Spielberg's greatest film in over a decade.
The Post is exactly what you're expecting: mature, rousing, resonant newsroom procedural with proper Spielbergian swell. Smashing, nuanced (!) Streep, bristlingly adorable Hanks.
— Robbie Collin (@robbiereviews) November 28, 2017
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
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.
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) November 28, 2017
The Post is hugely entertaining bar a few overly indulgent moments near the end. It's also going to win best picture and I'm okay with that
— Benjamin Lee (@benfraserlee) November 28, 2017
THE POST is definitely not the best movie I have seen all year but it will probably win Best Picture and I won’t be mad
— Alissa Wilkinson (@alissamarie) November 28, 2017
Others have also praised the film for its parallels to the present day, The Post taking on a greater significance amid a particularly fraught time for news media, which has been referred to as "the enemy of the American people" by Donald Trump. He has also infamously referred to Streep as "over-rated".
The Post is a reminder that Spielberg is a pro like no other. Pentagon Papers changed everything. It was a time not unlike today - similar forces at work. Everyone at the top of their game here.
— Sasha Stone (@AwardsDaily) November 28, 2017
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 #ThePostpic.twitter.com/xGP4fosvj7
— Clayton Davis (@AwardsCircuit) November 28, 2017
The film has already gotten off to a strong start when it comes to awards, having taken home trophies for Best Film, Best Actor and Best Actress at the National Board of Review Awards, which were announced last night.
The Post arrives in UK cinemas on January 19, 2018.
