Listen, I am not a movie critic.  I write this post reluctantly because I am below a novice in the art of reviewing.  But, I do feel the need to share just how much I enjoyed The Post.  It surprised me, and I love being surprised! This movie experience definitely qualifies as a “pearl.”

First, what did not surprise me?  The artistic performance of Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks.  They are icons.  They are my heroes.  I know I am going to look into the eyes of their characters and feel the emotion – believe the emotion – understand the emotion.

What did surprise me?  I was taken off guard by just how many feelings were stirred inside of me.  The topic of the Vietnam War always puts me in a somber mood.  I feel like crying whenever I see our boys being picked off one by one in the jungle.  Learning that the war was deemed unwinnable many years before it ended, and how it was covered up, made me angry.  Anger turned into love for my country learning there were people willing to risk everything to fight for the freedom of speech.  I was proud of our Founding Fathers and the wisdom they bestowed when writing our Constitution.  I also felt grateful.  Grateful for how far our country has come in the advancement of women, and thankful for women like Katharine Graham who helped pave the way.

Yes, I was emotionally exhausted after the movie.  I was thrilled to learn a part of American history – the good and the bad.  I was enthralled by being transported to 1971. I was grateful to be reminded of the importance of freedom of speech and freedom of the press.  I was excited to feel patriotic. Mostly, I was happy that I experienced the The Post.

So, just go, and see if you are surprised, too!