10 Greatest Films About Journalism
6. The Post (2017)
Stephen Spielberg's The Post depicts the true story behind the Washington Post's efforts to publish classified government documents that uncovered the truth behind the ongoing Vietnam War. With a cast led by Tom Hanks as newspaper editor Ben Bradlee and Meryl Streep as publisher Katherine Graham, Spielberg did not hold back on the $50 million production, a budget which is becoming increasingly rare for non-franchise films.
The epic historical drama is a courageous and timely defence of journalism, during a period where attacks on the press for perceived 'negative coverage' and 'fake news' were intensifying. Reading between the lines, it is clear that in addition to telling the compelling story of Pentagon Papers, the film also serves as an allegory for the current political climate.
"We can't have an administration dictating to us our coverage just because they don't like what we print about them" - Ben Bradlee
The Post was massive commercial and critical success. Grossing $179 million worldwide, the movie's financial success challenged the traditional standards of a blockbuster film in the modern cinema landscape. The film would receive two Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Actress, with the recognition of Streep's performance being Oscar nomination twenty-one for the legendary actress!