The story of Harvey Milk is one I've known only briefly. An out gay man who was elected to San Francisco's board of supervisors and who was gunned down by a fellow supervisor in 1978. The subject seems perfect for a movie, right?
In Milk, Gus Van Sant's affecting dedication, Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk, a man frustrated with his life, so, he moves from New York area to San Francisco to follow his dreams of living a simplistic life with his partner. Soon he and the audience realize, like many instances in this life, sometimes having the easy life isn't meant for everyone. Milk is dissatisfied with his neighborhood and the treatment of homosexuals and wants change.
Milk begins by running for office. He fails. Repeatedly. He does eventually win, however, after much strife and alienation experienced by his long-time boyfriend played by James Franco in a strong, subtle performance.
What fascinates and awes in this movie is the degree to which Milk plays the system. Yes, he's gay, but he's smart and calculating as a politician. He's elected. And there's resistance of course. Threats on his life are made. He forges ahead.
What is great about this movie is its universal and timeless message that we our in control of our fates, if we're willing to take the responsibility to do so. Still more amazing is Penn's ability to strip away the narrative of the film and talk directly to the audience without actually doing so. At times, when Milk is talking to those huddled masses, that he shakes you to the core and makes you look at yourself. And personally, as a gay man, he tells you exactly what every homosexual must realize: a life of simplicity and privacy is something you should have if you desire it, but no matter how we try, what happens in the bedroom affects us as much as any other force in our lives, and hiding can't lead to change.
Inspirational, chilling and affecting. Van Sant crafts an amazing and subtle movie with much grace. Could it have been as good if the director himself wasn't gay?
Josh Brolin, as Dan White, Milk's fellow supervisor who eventually guns him down, is strong and reserved. There's something boiling under White's skin. Frustration? Disenfranchisement? Whatever it was, we know how it ends. And what an unexpectedly expected ending.
This movie, its quality of performance and craftsmanship, will be remembered for years to come, and perhaps everything Milk fought for won't die in vain. ***A***
