The events surrounding the pentagon papers and the case between the New York Times v. U.S. is a true story bedazzled with secrecy. It was an inspiring historical film that brings the passion for speaking truth to life and finally the deserving enticing series of events got a film.
Amidst gunshots and screams, Daniel Ellsburg (Matthew Rhys) has been sent to observe how well American war efforts are paying off in the Vietnam war. He records every play, kill, and dead body, slowly discovering that his own recollection and what the White House is telling the public were very different. The story progresses and the inciting incident is when a newspaper is faced with the decision to release the top secret documents from Ellsburg after over 30 years of the public being baby fed optimistic crap about the war by the government. Knowing that the decision to publish the ,”pentagon papers” could cost them their careers, Kay Graham played by Meryl Streep and Ben Bradlee, or Tom Hanks try to come to a decision they can stand by with their loved ones and other employees of the Washington Post.
Given it was a political film based on a true story, I think the film did an excellent job of portraying not only the windy plot but the deeper meaning of the freedom of speech being oppressed. It captured emotions from every party involved from the riots, the newspaper employees, and not to mention the man who realized the urgency for his recordings. (Which yes, was technically illegal, but?) I also think the writers did a wonderful job of adding in notes of modern feminism to an aged event.
Kay Graham (static but well rounded), who owned the post had internal arguments that were brought to screen more than any other character. However, I think the ones symbolically experiencing change was the Post itself and other newspapers alike who know they have a duty to share truth to the public.
Slow start, but when it got to the good stuff it was really good so overall a success. The creators did a good job of taking us back to a time of light bouncing off cigarette smoke and ladies dressed in skirt-suits. Stephen Spielberg included his touch of industrialism with tidbits of the newspaper presses in action.
I would recommend this to any audience who could keep up with a pretty heavy plot. I used my first amendment right to publish this blog post, what something you want to say?
- Lowest Recommended Age: 12+
- Positive Role Models
- MPAA: PG-13
- Profanity: Some strong language
- Alcohol/Drugs: Some references
- Violence/ Scariness: War scenes incorporated throughout
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An empowering historical film that brings the passion for freedom and speaking truth to life all over again. Heavy plot, but rightfully so for this emotion-packed film. The overlooked heroism and events surrounding the Pentagon Papers finally got the wonderful film they deserved.
Kelsey Tanner
Flick Chick 1997 