“The Publisher” covers an important moment in the history of American politics and the media in general. With his thrillingly narrated, elegantly staged and virtuosically acted treatment of real events, master director Steven Spielberg delivers a timelessly relevant statement for the courageous and impartial journalism urgently needed in today’s world.
“The Publisher” will be screened May 1, 2023 at 9:30 p.m. on the first. There is a repeat at 1:10 am. If the dates do not suit you, the film is of course also available on DVD and Blu-ray, but also digitally.
Really unbelievable: But although Tom Hanks with, among other things, the musical superhits “Mamma Mia! 1+2” has already produced several projects starring Meryl Streep, “The Publisher” is the first feature film for which the Hollywood legends stood together in front of the camera. In addition, Streep was also performed here for the first time by Steven Spielberg. Her colleague, on the other hand, had previously been involved in four of his major film works (“Saving Private Ryan”, “Catch Me If You Can”, “Terminal”, “Bridge Of Spies”).
In addition to the Oscar-winning duo, “The Publisher” also features a long list of other well-known stars: Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”), Sarah Paulson (“American Horror Story”), Bradley Whitford (“Get Out!”), Matthew Rhys (The Americans), Tracy Letts (Le Mans 66), Alison Brie (Promising Young Woman), Carrie Coon (Gone Girl), Jesse Plemons (Breaking Bad), Bruce Greenwood (“Thirteen Days”) and Michael Stuhlbarg (” A serious man”).
“The Publisher”: That’s the story
In 1971, the New York Times published excerpts from the so-called Pentagon Papers, a secret study by the US Department of Defense that revealed that the administration had lied to the public about its conduct and prospects for success in the Vietnam War over the course of four presidents . War.
Although a Times judge has banned further publication of the documents, Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks), editor-in-chief of the then rather insignificant Washington Post, wants to investigate himself. That’s why he put reporter Ben Bagdikian (Bob Odenkirk) about the case that actually tracks down the whistleblower (Matthew Rhys).
The ex-ministerial assistant gives Bagdikian the copies of the files he smuggled out of the Pentagon, which Bradlee wants to publish immediately. But his editor, Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep), is under enormous pressure from her lawyers (including Jesse Plemons) to prevent this from happening given the legal ramifications and threat of the paper’s demise…
In typically poignant Spielberg fashion
As noted in the FILMSTARTS review, “The Publisher” is a gripping history lesson – captivatingly told and brilliantly performed by the cast. The whole lives mainly from the dynamics of the script, the dialogues and the interaction of the protagonists. In addition, we also commend Spielberg’s skillful use of light and lighter accents within the plot, always placed at the right time.
The director and his regular cameraman Janusz Kaminski present us with various impressive shots – for example in the editorial office, around the gigantic printing presses or on the steps of the Supreme Court. And another longtime Spielberg collaborator also makes a vital contribution to the triumphant success of the whole work: composer John Williams, who repeatedly and subtly warms up the tension of individual scenes with his masterful score.
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