History YMMV / ThePost

** Matthew Rhys plays Daniel Ellsberg, the military analyst who leaked the Pentagon Papers to ''The New York Times'' (and then ''The Washington Post''). In ''Film/TheReport'', he plays a ''Times'' reporter who tries to coax a government worker into leaking a controversial report to the paper.
* {{Narm}}: Nixon is portrayed with real audio from his recorded conversations, while an actor with his back to the camera hammily acts them out in a manner very reminiscent of the portrayal of George Steinbrenner on ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}''.

** Matthew Rhys plays Daniel Ellsberg, the military analyst who leaked the Pentagon Papers to the New York Times (and then The Washington Post). In ''Film/TheReport'', he plays a New York Times reporter who tries to get a government worker to leak a controversial report to the paper.

* SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped:
** Regarding freedom of the press, the importance of the truth, and the responsibility of standing up to official malfeasance. Those reviewing ''The Post'' tend to draw the obvious parallels between UsefulNotes/RichardNixon and UsefulNotes/DonaldTrump, although the film would arguably have been just as timely during the [[UsefulNotes/BarackObama Obama administration]] and the controversy over government whistleblowers Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden.
** In addition, the equality of women is also stressed, and by the end, we see Kay Graham finally take control of her paper.

* HilariousInHindsight: It can be funny seeing real-life husband and wife Tracy Letts and Creator/CarrieCoon acting alongside Creator/SarahPaulson, Letts ex-girlfriend. Must have been a surreal day on set.

* HypeBacklash: Big time from many, due to the pre-release hype that comes from being a new drama from Steven Spielberg and starring Academy darlings Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, plus ultra-topical subject matter caused many to dismiss it as OscarBait. One [[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/brutally-honest-oscar-ballot-get-filmmakers-played-race-card-just-sick-meryl-streep-1090440/item/best-picture-2018-brutally-honest-oscar-ballot-2-1090446 Academy voter]] called it "the most boring movie" and said she was sick of Meryl Streep.

* CrowningMomentOfAwesome: [[HistoryRepeats As with]] ''Film/{{Munich}}'', Spielberg made this film a ''few months'' before its release, all the while working on the post production of his effects heavy [[Film/ReadyPlayerOne other film]]. Only a master like him can accomplish such a feat.
** In universe, Graham’s decision to publish the papers knowing full well the risk. Even as it becomes apparent they are opening themselves up to imprisonment (in which even Ben, the most ardent proponent for publishing, is beginning to wane), Graham assures that the lower level employees of the paper will be safe and then doubles down. In particular, her polite but firm “I am taking to Mr. Bradlee now” shows she isn’t going to be pushed around anymore.

** In universe, Graham’s decision to publish the papers knowing full well the risk. Even as it becomes apparent they are opening themselves up to imprisonment (in which even Ben, the most ardent proponent for publishing, is beginning to wane), Graham assures that the lower level employees of the paper will be safe and then doubles down. In particular, her polite but firm “I am taking to Ben” shows she isn’t going to be pushed around anymore.

** In universe, Graham’s decision to publish the papers knowing full well the risk. Even as it becomes apparent they are opening themselves up to imprisonment (in which even Ben, the most ardent proponent for publishing, is beginning to wane), Graham assures that the lower level employees of the paper will be safe and then ‘’doubles down.’’ In particular, her polite but firm “I am taking to Ben” shows she isn’t going to be pushed around anymore.

* HypeBacklash: Big time from many, due to the movie being perceived as blatant OscarBait - directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Academy darlings Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep. One [[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/brutally-honest-oscar-ballot-get-filmmakers-played-race-card-just-sick-meryl-streep-1090440/item/best-picture-2018-brutally-honest-oscar-ballot-2-1090446 Academy voter]] called it "the most boring movie" and said she was sick of Meryl Streep.

* AwardSnub: Inverted. Creator/MerylStreep's Best Actress nomination - much like the previous year with ''Film/FlorenceFosterJenkins'' - was viewed as a big snub to other more deserving performances. Those mentioned were Annette Bening in ''Film/FilmStarsDontDieInLiverpool'', Michelle Williams for ''Film/AllTheMoneyInTheWorld'' and Rachel Weisz for ''Film/MyCousinRachel''.
--> "And they weren't even nominated. Instead they forced Meryl on us again...it was the most boring performance that was nominated."

* GrowingTheBeard: A RealLife example with the paper itself. At the time, ''The Washington Post'' was seen as a lesser player on the DC circuit and perhaps a bit too chummy with the government. It wasn't until they took a risk on the Pentagon Papers that they truly became a force for investigative journalism.

* SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped: Regarding freedom of the press, the importance of the truth, and the responsibility of standing up to official malfeasance. Those reviewing ''The Post'' tend to draw the obvious parallels between UsefulNotes/RichardNixon and UsefulNotes/DonaldTrump, although the film would arguably have been just as timely during the [[UsefulNotes/BarackObama Obama administration]] and the controversy over government whistleblowers Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden.

* {{Narm}}: Nixon is portrayed with real audio from his recorded conversations, while an actor with his back to the camera hammily acts them out in a manner very reminiscent of the portrayal of George Steinbrenner on ‘’Series/{{Seinfeld}}’’.

* {{Narm}}: Nixon is portrayed with real audio from his recorded conversations, while an actor with his back to the camera hammily acts them out in a manner very reminiscent of the portrayal of GerogeSteinbrenner on ‘’Series/{{Seinfeld}}’’.

* ValuesResonance: Steven Spielberg ''hates'' UsefulNotes/DonaldTrump and the movie was made as a direct rebuke to attacks on the press by his administration. Oddly enough, the White House specifically requested a screening of the film shortly after its release.

* SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped: Regarding freedom of the press, the importance of the truth, and the responsibility of standing up to official malfeasance. Those reviewing ''The Post'' tend to draw the obvious parallels between RichardNixon and DonaldTrump, although the film would arguably have been just as timely during the [[BarackObama Obama administration]] and the controversy over government whistleblowers Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden.

* CrowningMomentOfAwesome: [[HistoryRepeats As with]]''Film/{{Munich}}'', Spielberg made this film a ''few months'' before its release, all the while working on the post production of his effects heavy [[Film/ReadyPlayerOne other film]]. Only a master like him can accomplish such a feat.

* CrowningMomentOfAwesome: [[HistoryRepeats As with ]]''Film/{{Munich}}'', Spielberg made this film a ''few months'' before its release, all the while working on the post production of his effects heavy [[Film/ReadyPlayerOne other film]]. Only a master like him can accomplish such a feat.

* GrowingTheBeard: A RealLife example with the paper itself. At the time the Washington Post was seen as a lesser player on the DC circuit and perhaps a bit too chummy with the government. It wasn't until they took a risk on the Pentagon Papers that they truly became a force for investigative journalism.

* GrowingTheBeard: Arguably a RealLife example with the paper itself. At the time the Washington Post was seen as a lesser player on the DC circuit and perhaps a bit too chummy with the government. It wasn't until they took a risk on the Pentagon Papers that they truly became a force for investigative journalism.

* ValuesResonance: Steven Spielberg ''hates'' UsefulNotes/DonaldTrump and the movie was made as a direct rebuke to attacks on the press by his administration. Oddly enough, the White House specifically requested a screening of the film shortly after its release.

* ValuesResonance: Steven Spielberg ''hates'' UsefulNotes/DonaldTrump and the movie was made as a direct rebuke to attacks on the press by his administration.