It’s nice to see you again, Steven. Following the absolute mess known as “The BFG,” Spielberg has returned to form with “The Post.” With tight pacing in the majority of the film alongside an absolutely fantastic ensemble cast, “The Post” delivers a gripping celebration of the free press as it explores the story behind the Pentagon Papers as well as an incredible take into the world of a woman thrust into power in an all-male world

“The Post” possesses tight pacing in the middle and end sections of the film but starts off very poorly. This painfully slow start serves as a stark contrast to the remainder of the film, where very little is introduced or happens which could be a realistic representation of journalism. Once this beginning stretch passes, the movie finds its legs towards a feel-good yet predictable conclusion. This stretch also showcases the meat of what makes the film so polished and impressive, presenting an engaging pacing that allows the rest of the movie to flourish.

“The Post’s” greatest quality is its fantastic ensemble cast, although many of the leading roles performed far from their best. Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks give solid performances overall; however, nothing was particularly special or striking compared to other movies they’ve starred in. The real stars shined in the supporting roles, with Bob Odenkirk, Bruce Greenwood and Matthew Rhys giving the performances of their lifetimes.

Spielberg’s impact and imprint is evident throughout the film, showcasing his directing might while also playing up the personal, professional and political stakes efficiently to the conclusion. Alongside his longtime cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, the film brightens up their usual palette of pale tones with welcome warmth and vibrant backgrounds. His utilization of swirling camera angles during normally static shots propel the speeches heavily, causing something that would normally be a boring affair to turn into a riveting and inspirational moment in the movie. Spielberg’s lack of subtlety in the film is evident throughout, with its impact being exemplified in John Williams’s excellent score of the film.

Perhaps the biggest problem of the film lies in this lack of subtlety. Even in the beginning moments of this film, I already knew how it was going to end, as if I had seen it a million times. The ending, while handled well, is disappointingly obvious, which is a shame considering how effectively and engagingly the events leading up to it are. This predictability doesn’t effectively ruin the ending but makes the film as a whole lose a bit of its luster.

“The Post” is Spielberg’s return to form, providing a finely crafted but conventional Hollywood offering that is propelled even higher due to an incredible ensemble cast and great direction.

85%

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