Steven Spielberg’s timely thriller celebrates journalistic independence and the courage of Katharine Graham, a woman who put free speech ahead of friendship and business, battling Richard Nixon’s vindictive White House over the publication of what became known as the Pentagon Papers. When insecure Kay Graham (Meryl Streep) inherited the Washington Post following her husband’s suicide, she became the first female publisher of a major American newspaper. In 1971, Defense Department whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg (Matthew Rhys) leaks top secret information to the New York Times, specifically a RAND Corporation study revealing a massive cover-up regarding the futility of the Vietnam War. Furious over being scooped, editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) seizes an opportunity to elevate the Post’s position when one of his reporters obtains a copy of the controversial study. But Bradlee and his staff have only one day to sort out relevant information that the Times has had for months. Meanwhile, patrician Graham is taking her family’s cash-poor company public, and she knows that potential investors might bolt due to the possibility of a "catastrophic occurrence," since she could be arrested and imprisoned for treason. Plus, Graham has personal reservations, tied to her longtime bond with Defense Secretary Robert McNamara (Bruce Greenwood) from a time when she and Bradlee socialized with the Kennedys. Upon publication of the Pentagon Papers, Nixon’s aides seek a court injunction, sparking a First Amendment battle that winds up in the Supreme Court. Streep and Hanks deliver powerhouse performances in this timely Best Picture-nominated film that reminds all Americans of the clear and present threat to democracy posed by an assault on the freedom of the press. Highly recommended. Editor’s Choice. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include the production featurettes “Stop the Presses: Filming” (26 min.), “The Style Section: Recreating an Era” (17 min.), and “Arts and Entertainment: Music” (7 min.). Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are the behind-the-scenes segments “Layout: Katharine Graham, Ben Bradlee & The Washington Post” (22 min.), and “Editorial” on cast and characters (16 min.), as well as bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for this Best Picture nominee.] (S. Granger)
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