<I>The Post</i> Is Well-Crafted but Utterly Conventional
Steven Spielberg’s celebration of freedom of the press, starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, is solid awards-season fare—but not much more.
“We have to be the check on their power. If we don’t hold them accountable, who will?”
These words are spoken bythe legendary editor Ben Bradlee in Steven Spielberg’s movie about the Pentagon Papers, (For those of you thinking, Wait, didn’t break that story? Patience: We’ll get there.) Lest there be any doubt that Bradlee is speaking on behalf not only of his paper or journalism generally but also of Honor, Decency, and the American Way, he is played by Tom Hanks, who has over time become Hollywood’s designated embodiment of All That Is Good. (Remember ? This is him
