Early The Post reactions hail movie as surefire Oscar powerhouse

November 28th 2017, 11:45am

In case you forgot, Steven Spielberg has a new movie coming out this month, and it stars Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks and tells a story about the importance of the First Amendment at a time when it seems like it’s facing its greatest threat. That’s a gold-plated sentence if there ever was one, but like always we must wait to hear what people have to say about it before we jump to any conclusions about its awards chances. But now is the time to jump, as the wave of first reactions has hit and, as expected, the movie is Spielberg, Streep and Hanks doing what they do best. Though a few critics, including our own Chris Bumbray, say it’s not the best work from the director, it’s still a terrific addition to his massive mountain of achievements. The cast is also being praised, and surprise surprise, Streep will most likely earn another nomination at the Oscars, bringing her total up to 136. In fact, some pundits are already going out to say she has a great chance to win this year, bringing her Oscar win count to 146. I don’t know how that works mathematically, but it makes sense when talking about Streep.

Check out the reactions below, and the review embargo is lifted December 6.

#ThePost – 2nd tier Spielberg but that doesn't mean it isn't still excellent. Streep and Hanks are great (obviously) but Bob Odenkirk is also really impressive in a juicy part. Review when embargo breaks Dec 6.

— Chris Bumbray (@cbumbray) November 28, 2017

#ThePost is excellent. Obvious but well worth saying – Streep and Hanks are fantastic. Takes some time to build but was *very* moved by Katharine Graham’s experience and how incredibly important it is to tell this story right now.

— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) November 28, 2017

I now understand why #StevenSpielberg wanted #ThePost out this year. Even though it's dealing with the past it speaks to what's happening today. Great performances all around. Will be a player in Award season. #FreePress pic.twitter.com/ohylWvGgFp

— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) November 28, 2017

The Post is an important film, not just to history, but to the now. Streep is amazing. My audience broke into applause at least 6 times during the movie itself. Spielberg’s best film since Munich.

— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) November 28, 2017

THE POST rules. the best Spielberg movie since MUNICH. more on this story as it develops.

— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) November 28, 2017

The Post benefits from a great, likable cast and a sadly timely reminder of the last time a president tried to villainize the press. However it’s super on the nose, incredibly slight and kind of a snooze overall. Felt to me like Spielberg was on autopilot.

— Eric Vespe (@EricVespe) November 28, 2017

I'll tweet about THE POST in the morning when I'm more coherent. It's good! Not great! But the good bits are great.

— Kate Erbland (@katerbland) November 28, 2017

THE POST is fantastic, it’ll probably win a bunch of Oscars, and it’s Meryl’s best performance since DEVIL WEARS PRADA. Happy now???

— David Sims (@davidlsims) November 28, 2017

So THE POST is Steven Spielberg at his most urgent. He lets the dialogue and the performances speak for him. A little preachy, but it has a lot to say. I love this era of Spielberg. Streep, Hanks, Odenkirk are terrific. Timely as hell, too.

— Alan Cerny (@NordlingCS) November 28, 2017

Also, whether I'm objective or not, I will say that what Meryl Streep does in this movie, building a narrative about her character with each line, move, and gesture, is, even by her standards, astounding.

— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) November 28, 2017

Good performances and the all important relevant topic, and it is hella entertaining! Bring the whole fam!

(But actually do that last part)

— Alissa Wilkinson (@alissamarie) November 28, 2017

THE POST: a film about the 70s which speaks so much about today. The freedom of the press, sexism in the workplace. Thrilling, fascinating & inspiring. Listening to Streep + Hanks + Spielberg + screenwriter Liz Hannah 🙌 pic.twitter.com/kbAgBBxsgH

— Alicia Malone (@aliciamalone) November 28, 2017

What I gather from this is that the movie is more BRIDGE OF SPIES Spielberg and less SCHINDLER'S LIST or even LINCOLN. On top of that, mix in a little SPOTLIGHT and you have THE POST. In terms of Oscar chances that makes this a serious threat at the Oscars, as SPOTLIGHT won Best Picture despite not being the most memorable film on the slate, coasting off a terrific ensemble cast (the actor's branch is the largest branch of the Academy), a thorough, heartfelt script and a timely message. Clearly, THE POST has all that and more, and we can expect it to have a firm place on the awards circuit. Did you really expect anything less from this trio?

THE POST hits limited theaters December 22 and then wide on January 12.