Milk (R-2008)

Before I get into the review, I have to share my pre-conceptions. First, when I see a movie centered around the gay rights struggle, I am "on my guard" for a propaganda piece (actually when I see ANY film based on a political position, I feel the same way). Then, when one of the first images you see is the title card for "Groundswell" productions, my alarm bells ring even louder. So, when I watched "Milk", did I find my concerns were justified? Well, yes, they were. This IS a propaganda piece, no question about it. However, it is a GOOD propaganda piece, led by yet another top-notch performance by Sean Penn. Penn is simply amazing as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to higher office. When he moves to San Francisco from New York and finds his business is not welcome because he is gay, he decides he needs to get involved in a movement for change. The movie follows his rise to being elected to the Town supervisor position, leading to his ultimate demise. Along with Penn, there are also great performances by Josh Brolin, James Franco and Emile Hirsch (who is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors after "Into The Wild"). I will say that this film actually illustrated why the gay rights movement has so much trouble getting off the ground. In one of the pivotal sequences, when Harvey Milk is going to make a speech at gay pride day, you can see the flamboyance and "open sexuality" that they bring in front of the public eye. I think that does more to hurt their cause then anything else. Well, that's my take on it, any way. Don't let the "propaganda" feel keep you away from this movie. The performances are worth the time, although I would have liked a little less actual screen time spent on gay, uh, interaction. Sean Penn may be one of the most annoying off-screen people in Hollywood, but man, can he act.


Grade: B (Acting: A+)


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