Milk

'Milk' was not a film I expected to like. I skipped it at the cinema because I'm really not a fan of biographical dramas, especially when they are about politicians, and doubly so if they're about politicians I've never heard of. However, I was intrigued by the film because it was a serious drama about an openly gay man, and not purely about the fact that he was gay, which is a rare beast in Hollywood. Harvey Milk was, for the first four decades of his life, a businessman who kept his sexuality secret, until at the age of 40 he met the love of his life, Scott Smith, and moved with him to Castro Street, a gay community in San Francisco. Here they opened a camera shop but as Harvey became more involved with the community and became more aware of prejudices against homosexuals he decided to run for Supervisor and became a committed politician. Despite campaigning and failing three times, his support increased with each campaign until he was finally elected in 1977. During his first year in office he successfully headed a number of initiatives supporting equal rights for various minorities before, at the age of 48, being shot by a former colleague. His death was mourned by tens of thousands of supporters, who marched through the city that evening.

So, despite not having particularly high hopes for this film, I actually really enjoyed it and was surprisingly moved by it. Milk's story is both inspiring and tragic, but instead of being a heavy-going and depressing biographical drama this is also very entertaining; mainly thanks to the character of the man himself, it would seem, and the people who surrounded him. I thoroughly recommend watching the accompanying documentaries where we meet the real-life Cleve Jones, Anne Kronenberg, Danny Nicoletta etc, all of whom very obviously loved Harvey Milk and are testament to his spirit and political power. Sean Penn very thoroughly inhabits the character of Milk and seems to have achieved a very accurate portrayal. To the point that for most of the film I couldn't remember which actor was playing him, despite being familiar with Penn. His supporting stars are also excellent: Emile Hirsch as Cleve Jones - both tough and adorable, Alison Pill as Anne Kronenberg - a much-needed strong female character, James Franco as a very attractive Scott Smith, and in slightly odd but very successful casting, High School Musical's Lucas Grabeel as photographer Danny Nicoletta.

The issues in this film, of equal rights for homosexuals and other minorities, are ones that are still very relevant today, particularly in the US and this is a good reminder of why we need politicians like Harvey Milk, who are prepared to stand up and push boundaries in order to ensure we live in a truly equal society. Frankly I think this should be required viewing in American high schools; especially in the Bible Belt.

Comments

[Lindsey]

Interesting what you say about Penn, I think I read so much hype beforehand I could only think of Milk as Penn being, well, Penn ...!

[Sarah]

I think it was because it's been so long since it was at the cinema and I couldn't remember who played him. Then when I was watching it all I could see was Harvey... that or my brain was fried from a weekend in the sun :)

[pip]

i'll keep an eye out for this film... good review:)
... knitting anything recently?! ;)

[Sarah B]

Thanks Pip! I'm currently knitting an ipod sock for my new ipod touch in Rowan tweed wool, which I will then felt to make a cosy case :)