Imagine that the government is keeping secrets from you, that multiple presidents did and now continue to lie to you, and you have the documents to prove it. Based on the true events of the 1971 U.S. Government security breach, “The Post” is an intriguing story about The Washington Post’s involvement with the publication of the stolen files. It is a compelling biography about the story that gripped the nation.

The movie has a lot of phenomenal elements. For one, the story itself is interesting and realistic. A person could resonate with everyone in the movie. The directing was splendid, which is no surprise because it was the legendary Steven Spielberg who directed the film. Also, the characters were spot on: one of the main characters was Katharine Graham, the publisher for The Washington Post, played by Meryl Streep. Streep’s performance was very well done, which isn’t totally surprising but still nice to see considering her some of her earlier performances were not as up to par. In addition Tom Hanks’ performance as Ben Bradlee was satisfactory as well. He added his typical vibrant “Tom Hanks energy”, even though he seemed a little too old for the part.

When it comes to the side characters most were pretty forgettable and overall bland. One of the greatest elements was the conflicts. A viewer can feel each side of the argument and understand the problems the characters were facing, with their feelings of competition, personal loyalty and civic duty. It gives the movie a superior climax. The ending, also, grips the audience’s attention. To avoid spoilers, let’s just say it was unexpected, smart and clever.

Overall, the movie was wonderful. Not only was it a fascinating story, but it was based on true events, making the audience empathize more. The directing was great, the characters were relatable, the conflicts were understandable and the structure felt smooth and solid. It was also an enjoyable watch for myself and other future viewers.