“Milk” tells the story of Harvey Milk (Sean Penn), an unassuming gay man who moves to San Fransisco with his boyfriend Scott (James Franco) in order to find acceptance for their lifestyle.
However, even in San Fransisco’s most famously gay neighborhood, the Castro, it’s a constant struggle. This drives the unassuming Harvey into the political game. He comes into conflict with conservative Irish-Catholic politician Dan White (Josh Brolin), the man who will one day assassinate him.
Penn, who wore a nose extension to more closely resemble Milk, delivers a strong performance with the perfect amount of subtlety. Franco delivers a deep and thoughtful performance, and Brolin presents White powerfully, truly earning his nomination for best supporting actor. “Milk” is a must-see because of its creative cinematography, authentic feel and dynamic cast.
However, the film lacks representation of female presence in the gay rights movement in the Castro. There is only one large female role, Anne Kronenberg, played by Alison Pill, and her performance is far from memorable. Perhaps few women were involved in Milk’s campaign team, but director Gus Van Sant and the casting crew missed opportunities elsewhere to involve the lesbian community and women in general. In shots of crowds gathering around the Castro Camera, Milk’s unofficial headquarters, and shots of crowds at Milk’s public appearances, there are hardly any women present. Members and supporters of the lesbian community are not prevalent until the Gay Pride Parade where the women are shown topless.
Memorable moments in the film’s cinematography include a scene where the action is shown through the reflection of a close-up on a whistle. Actual documentary footage is fused well with the filmed movie footage. Attention to detail in the set and costumes were implemented well and added to the authenticity of the film.
Overall, this film is a significant celebration of an important advancement in the gay community.
Remember to pack some tissues, as this must-see film will leave you sobbing.
