All The Presidents Newsmen.
116 Mins. Starring: Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Carrie Coon, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, David Cross, Alison Brie, Tracy Letts, Matthew Rhys, Bruce Greenwood & Bradley Whitford. Director: Steven Speilberg.
Don't stop the press! Even if Trump is screaming, "fake news" at the turn of every print page. Like freedom of speech, the right for a free press is paramount. Especially if broadly broadsheet speaking it's essential and not tabloid, speculative junk detrimental to effecting real change for the better. Right now in the 24 hour news cycle from digital television to the scrolling of social media, the up to the second updates come through, raw, ready and unfiltered. But it wasn't always like this millennials...no, I'm here, look up! Back in the days when newstring actually wrapped up the papers they threw from trucks, people rushed out into the streets to extra, extra read all about it. And when it came to political and even presidential scandal (you've been warned), like Watergate or the publishing of the Pentagon Papers that documented real truths and covered up lies of the United States 30 years in the Vietnam War then it really was apocalypse now for Nixon. Something we and hopefully the Donald can all learn from today in a time of turmoil so tense and terrifying in regard (or the lack of) to those in power that people actually miss Bush. Let alone the great hope of Obama. And today if art is really going to imitate life and entertainment teach us history we should read all about then who better than Hollywood golden years big three, Steven Speilberg, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep to tell us? Speilberg himself with his latest career big-three, following his blockbuster birth ('Jaws', 'E.T.', 'Jurassic Park'), his war years ('Schindlers List', 'Saving Private Ryan' (with Hanks), 'Munich'), his new millennium science fiction future ('A.I.' and 'Minority Report' and 'War Of The Worlds' with Tom Cruise), his one of adapted wonder ('War Horse', 'The Adventures Of Tintin' and the 'BFG') and now his poignant political path of 'Lincoln', 'Bridge Of Spies' (also with an Oscar nominated Hanks) and now this latest 'Post' in a social media age that needs to reach for todays paper with their morning toast and glass of orange juice.
Definitively directed with a beautiful subtlety like his recent previous pictures, 'The Post' slots right in amongst Speilberg's best. And this is a man who has given us so much from the chair bearing his second name. From 'Duel' to what's to come with 'Ready Player One', ready to show that when it comes to nostalgic and futuristic blockbusters he really can do it all behind the Super 8. But this latest inspiration holds a much greater and important influence. No wonder the most iconic director working right now has got the most legendary actor and actress living today to finally collaborate on cinema screen for something that feels like a spiritual prequel to Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman's 'All The Presidents Men' all the way to the final frame. A movie that terrifically takes the White House to task like Boston's Oscar winning ensemble 'Spotlight' did the Catholic Church. And following their 'Bridge Of Spies' best Steven and Tom do it again like this band of acting/directing band of brothers did with 'Saving Private Ryan', 'Catch Me If You Can' (Hanks and Leo playing hot potato and passing the baton people) and 'The Terminal'. 'Road To Perdition', "none of us will see heaven" aside it's actually really refreshing to see the do-gooding, decent Hanks play someone a little crotchety...albeit still trademark Tom good guy. Hey, this is a guy that even brought sympathy to the devil of a Tommy gun wielding gangsters brim. And with classic swept back hair and rolled up sleeves and newspaper slapping, old school journalistic verve, Hanks handles his editor all the way down to the story chewing, granite growl of his accented performance. And you see the recent brilliant book authors 'Uncommon Type' Easter Egg instrument on the desk where his feet normally go. Tom's top of the column character is as classic as that across the table look from your fathers spectacles over the edge of a flicked down broadsheet.
Still despite it being the fifth go round for the Hanks/Speilberg weekdays collaboration connection. One that could see Hanks battle his former 'Philadelphia' legal aid Denzel Washington's 'Roman J. Israel, Esq.' for 'Best Actor' runner up to Gary Oldman's cigar smoking and champagne chugging Churchill for 'The Darkest Hour'. You best believe this is Meryl's movie. Don't be confused by the above photo or caption we couldn't resist for classic, cult film and behind the scenes and pages newsprint machinery purist reasons. No one in Hollywood history, leading lady or actor has had a streak like Streep. Forget the 'Phantom Thread' of retiring great Daniel Day-Lewis who is almost guranteed an Oscar as he is a nomination everytime he takes to screen for a second. This guy could probably get an Academy statue for a cameo. Meryl Streep isn't the Daniel Day-Lewis of actresses. Daniel Day-Lewis is the Meryl Streep of actors. And Streep who has been Oscar nominated an incredible 21 times and won three for 'Kramer vs Kramer', 'Sophie's Choice' and 'The Iron Lady' really has a chance for another here like her chance to add an Emmy to her trophy cabinet by joining Reese Witherspoon's 'Big Little Lies' for season two. Despite creative competition from Sally Hawkins ('The Shape Of Water'), Margot Robbie ('I, Tonya') and the 'Three Billboards' of Frances McDormand which surely will read 'Best Actress'. Hey, she even has competition from those without a nomination, like robbed, next best actress working today Jessica Chastain who could have had three for 'The Zookeepers Wife', 'Miss Sloane' and 'Molly's Game'. But Meryl's majestic performance of dignity and distinction puts her right there with the seal of the envelope. Playing the most powerful person in a room full of men who don't think she has a place until she plants her feet and seed changes the minds of a ignorant world with the news she helps make like she did in support as a 'Suffragette'. There's a classic cast here behind the all-star, all-time big three in D.C. Like 'The People vs O.J. Simpson's Sarah Paulson underused, but proved even in spare minutes of screen and husband and wife time with Hanks. Or 'Better Call Saul's' Bob Odenkirk working the public payphones again and breaking good. Like 'Gone Girl's standout stealer Carrie Coon showing she's back and here to stay like 'Fargo' and 'Glow's' Alison Brie illuminating. Or classic character actors like Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons (on the 'Hostiles' form of his life), David Cross, Matthew Rhys and Tracy Letts bringing some of their trademark and off type best. Even vets like the always reliable Bruce Greenwood (only 'Star Trek' captain to voice Batman (yep that's right, check out 'Gotham By Gaslight') and orignal 'West Wing' member now told to 'Get Out' like the fall of 'House Of Cards', Bradley Whitford are on helping hand. But for all the big names that are read here in bold type it's all about the actual story itself that takes your eye and deserves your minds attention. And in a swipe aside generation where we are always after the next thing, whether of interest or scandal, maybe it's time to be intrigued by some history that in foreshadowing what's going on right now couldn't be more impeccably or impeachable-y relevant. Post that! TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'All The Presidents Men', 'Spotlight', 'Bridge Of Spies'.
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