Milk

Milk is based on the true story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in California.  It follows Milk (played by Sean Penn) through his run for office and up to his assassination.  The film is directed by Gus Van Sant (who is best known for Good Will Hunting and Finding Forrester) and also stars Emile Hirsch, James Franco, Josh Brolin, Victor Garber, Diego Luna, and Alison Pill.

Van Sant created a very niche film in Milk.  I don’t believe that people who aren’t gay or aren’t involved with gay rights will enjoy the movie.  I always look forward to movies like this, hoping that they will show people that being gay isn’t bad, it doesn’t make them bad people, and they really aren’t all that different from the rest of us.  However, this film failed, making the homosexual culture an elitist group of people who are “better than you.”  Even once Harvey Milk is in office, he refuses to pay attention to any issues that don’t focus on gay rights.  Although this was his main concentration, as a political figure you are bound to acknowledge other issues that are presented.  I felt that Van Sant alienated a wider audience by concentrating only on this, instead of using it as a tool to educate those who may not have a great understanding of the gay lifestyle. 

I did enjoy the story; it was well written and flowed through the events well.  The acting was also incredible.  Sean Penn played Harvey Milk perfectly, although it was not his best performance and I’m not sure if it is quite worthy of the Oscar nod.  James Franco as Milk’s boyfriend was great, and it was wonderful to see Franco breaking out into a new sort of role, proving that he is a serious actor.  Josh Brolin as Dan White was also amazing, and deserves the Oscar nomination he received.

I have never been much a fan of Gus Van Sant’s directing style, and it was very apparent in this film.  The choppy camera work and strange shots didn’t do anything for the film beside make me wish for a new director.  I also felt the characters were not very well established and I didn’t feel any attachment to them.

Although this might sound like a bad review, it is really more one of disappointment.  I saw the potential that this film had, and it didn’t live up to it.  I think it was a great movie underneath, but the things that were off were off just enough to make me not want to run out and see the film again.  I am glad I saw it, and I learned some things about Harvey Milk’s life, but I wouldn’t call it one of the best pictures of the year (although it is nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars).