Milk
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Movie Reviews of Milk
Movie Review: Courage and integrity of the highest order
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is just exceptional, accomplishing the difficult task of teaching social history without preaching, of exploring character and courage from a perspective of lived reality, and communicating to gay audiences the historic struggles of the gay rights movement while communicating to straight audiences the motivations that moved the gay rights movement forward. The cast is superb, with Sean Penn offering a perfect performance of power and grace, humor and courage. James Franco does a wonderful understated calm performance as Scott Smith, the lover who follows Harvey to San Francisco and emotionally supports him during his rocky rise in the local political scene. Gus Van Sant may have been the perfect director for this script since he is sensitive to the subtle dynamics and evolution of the gay rights movement while also making a credible effort to explore the character of Harvey Milk and his lovers. The film reminds us of the terrible violence and discrimination those in the gay community experienced from the police, media, and courts. This reference back to these days of harassment and attacks is important in grounding the work and philosophy of Harvey Milk. Placing this story within the history of the Castro neighborhood in San Francisco helps give the narrative a time and place as well as makes reference to a major social movement. The historic films, including the films of Anita Bryant's bigoted campaign against gay men and women, give all viewers a feel for the hatred, bigotry, violence, discrimination, and lack of civil rights that gay men and women experienced. The film is very educational in that it firmly places gay rights as in the same group with civil rights for African Americans and women. Yet Harvey Milk is a critical piece of this history, not just as an activist but also as the first open gay person elected to public office in the United States. Harvey Milk is fully characterized as a multi-dimensional, resilient, courageous, transcendent human being. His resiliency, as portrayed by Sean Penn, is inspiring. Milk had a broad and objective view of the condition of gay men and women in the United States and the political skills to move forward in the fight against discrimination. He loses a handsome young lover in his political fights and then adopts a damaged soul as his second lover. It is the loving, protective way that Harvey loves and supports his emotionally and mentally fragile lover that echoes his love and protection for all of those in the gay movement. In other words, Harvey was willing to take a partner who was damaged goods, and in so doing, personifies his philosophy that the gay community is full of persons who are damaged and deserve protection. Harvey loses three consecutive elections but finally with his vision and resiliency, he prevails and is elected to the San Francisco board of supervisors. The rise and tragic fall of Harvey Milk makes for wonderfully moving drama, even more penetrating, because it reflects a significant time in our history.Movie Review: A Brilliant Triumph For Sean Penn, Gus Van Zant & Cast!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am so glad that this story has been told and done such justice
by the great Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, a true pioneer &
sacrificial lamb in the ongoing struggle for gay rights in america!
Gus Van Zant's direction was great, Josh Brolin perfectly
captured the tortured, angry & confused Dan White, who
murdered both Milk & Mayor Moscone and got off with basically
a slap on the wrist for it! Kudos also go to the other
stellar cast: Emile Hirsh, James Franco, Diego Luna and others.
I'm glad that the younger generations of gay, bi, and
supportive straights can have a chance to learn of
Harvey Milk and understand the heavy price that has
been paid for the few freedoms that gay men & women enjoy today,
and how easily it can all be taken away if they don't know
their history or become too complacent in the struggle
and stop fighting.
In 1978 it was Proposition 6, which Milk helped get overturned...
today, almost 30 yrs to the day, it was Proposition 8 which
got voted in and took back some of the freedoms that young
gay people just took for granted and assumed were their just due.
I was a 14 yr old kid, just coming into the knowledge of my
homosexuality at the time that Milk & Mayor Moscone were assassinated.
I didn't get the full gravity of what had happened at the time,
but I knew it was something tragic and pivotal!
Of course years later, at the age of 20 in 1984, I saw
"The Times Of Harvey Milk" and was brought into full
knowledge at that point.
"NEVER BLEND IN, NEVER SLEEP, & FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!!"
Became my mantra from that point on! (-:
God Bless Mr. Milk for his courage to bear the weight of
the cross he carried for gay men & women in a time that was both
magical & scarry!--It's not everybody who can rise to the occassion
and stand up in the face of opposition and threat of death!
He truly laid down his life for his beliefs and for gay people!
My only points of contention were that they should've delved
into Mayor Moscone a bit more because he was a freind to
Harvey & his struggle and was well respected too!
He was a heterosexual man who was open-minded, educated,
fair & just in his heart and a loyal family man and freind.
He too died because he had the conviction to stand up for
what he felt was right, and as many tears were shed for him as
they were for Harvey Milk. He should always be remembered
and revered as well. Also, I thought they could've
found a more believable actor to play the iconic Sylvester...
if Harvey was the Mayor Of The Castro, Sylvester was
surely it's Queen!-- But then a biopic should be made
of his life as well! (-:
All-n-All, a great job though!
R.I.P. Harvey Milk (1930-1978)
Mayor George Moscone (1929-1978)
Movie Review: Civil Rights Makes a Small Step Forward
Summary: 5 Stars
The Mrs. And I viewed "Milk" last night and we both liked it, but I think with different degrees of appreciation and for different reasons.
We wanted to see all of the films nominated for major Academy Awards before the awards were announced, but we missed "Doubt", "The Wrestler" and "Milk". We both thought Sean Penn was good in the role of Harvey Milk, but the Mrs. Opined "I'm not sure he deserved the Oscar... now we have to see The Wrestler. (To see the acclaimed performance of Mickey Roarke)"
I'm not so certain, although I'll reserve personal judgment until seeing The Wrestler as well. About thirty minutes before the ending of Milk I'm watching Sean Penn in a scene wearing a T-Shirt, meeting Denis O'Hare as California State Senator John Briggs. It occurred to me "I can hardly believe this is the same actor from Mystic River. Or Bad Boys. Or Dead Man Walking." You get the idea. With the same body and face Penn was a completely different person. The body language and voice even made him appear markedly different. I've seen reviews saying Penn becomes unrecognizable in this role as Harvey Milk. I was always aware that I was watching Sean Penn - but I saw no flaws in this performance.
Penn is ably supported by the almost all-male cast including Josh Brolin as fellow San Francisco Supervisor Dan White, James Franco as lover Scott Smith, Victor Garber as Mayor Moscone and Emile Hirsch as cruiser turned Gay activist Cleve Jones. Alison Pill has the only significant female role as Anne Kronenberg, a political operative who is brought in after Milk fails a couple of campaigns because she is more macho than Milk's previous inner circle. She obtains Harvey's first newspaper endorsement - a significant step.
I was a child during the time this film was set, and the thought occurred to me "why should there be a politician whose entire political agenda is based on a non-majority sexual preference?" Put another way - if a heterosexual person were running for office, would it be pertinent if their entire platform were based on their heterosexuality and their only agenda were the rights of heterosexuals? The answer, of course, is that no serious political attempts have ever been made to remove the civil rights of heterosexuals. If politicians are trying to take away your jobs, and even threatening people who support you, you have to fight back.
(A side note: I think about the recent avalanche of laws trying to prevent same-sex marriage, and I wonder how far universal civil rights have advanced. I recently voted against a measure in my home state that passed - defining marriage as only possible between one man and one woman.)
We have come, perhaps, a few steps forward. A few years ago I heard local radio talk shows paint "Brokeback Mountain" as the Gay Cowboy movie. This year I don't recall a single discussion about the Gay Politician movie.
Movie Review: GAY ACTIVISM RISING. AN IMPORTANT, LANDMARK FILM!
Summary: 5 Stars
I will watch any movie that is directed by Gus Van Zant and "Milk" is the best example so far as to why. Some of his films are a bit obtuse for many mainstream film watchers but those have always been the films that have appealed to me the most. There are elements of the obscure, most notably the leading character of Harvey Milk, but this is far more accessible and worthwhile for its inspiration than some of his other work.
Harvey Milk is a very charismatic and complicated gay man in San Francisco and Sean Penn gives this role his all and it is very obvious that he did his homework. It is indeed the antithesis of the type of role that one would expect Penn to play based on his past performances and he manages a transformation that almost seems to transcend mere acting.
The pacing of the film is fantastic and keeps the viewer engaged and pulls you in as it perfectly captured the tone of each scene through the acting, music and ambiance. Very few films are on the precipice of art these days and this was a refreshing departure from the mainstream or even the stereotypical gay characters that one often sees portrayed in films. Penn bared his heart as Harvey Milk to the point that it was almost hard to watch until one of those down scenes were punctured by a triumph and we were rolling along again.
The bigotry and police attacks that homosexuals were, and still are in some places, subjected to prods Milk to take a detour from his camera shop to engage in organizing rallies and fighting for gay rights in a extremely direct way at a time where many viewed this sexual predisposition as an abomination, as depicted in the sweeping of gay bars and downright harassment by the police who were presumably being paid to protect those very rights.
Times have changed for the better in the arena of gay rights and this film will undoubtedly help to take another step forward in the thinking of many who are still semi-homophobic. The caliber of cast and the brilliant production, directing and acting will pull people in who wouldn't ordinarily think about gay issues and this film has the fortitude and the performances have the believability and command to help sway minds toward a more tolerant society.
Just as important is the statement this film makes that one person can make a difference about any political issue if they are so motivated to do so. Harvey was ahead of his time, but without his time, we wouldn't have ours.
This is a five star movie and it is also one of the few IMPORTANT films that I have seen recently. It is about the struggle for gay rights but many of the same themes of changing an unacceptable status quo are relevant to any group who are in a fight for their rights and respect.
Cinema lovers and anyone with a pulse should see this movie. This is a landmark film and history will look back kindly on it.
Kevin W. Mattingly
Harrisburg Times.
Movie Review: Phenomenal
Summary: 5 Stars
"That Harvey's questing spirit not only lives but soars in this movie is a gift from Sean Penn, who plays him for real instead of for show. Penn is a lion of an actor, but the tenderness he radiates here is revelatory. His physical transformation is nothing compared to the way Penn gets at the core of the man, finding the source of his joy and pain. He disappears into Harvey with the artistry of an acting virtuoso. There's one word for Penn's performance: phenomenal." Peter Travers
I remember hearing about the death of Harvery Milk and the Mayor of San Francisco-and I watched television with all of the Gay marches. But, somehow, I missed much of the Gay movement. I support Gays and their rights. I was married and stating to have children and it passed me by. Sean Penn as Harvey Milk brought it home, up close and personal. I cannot say enough about Penn's extraordinary performance. He truly deserved the Oscar for best male performance. This film should be seen by every adult in America for a full understanding of the life and times of our Gay brothers and sisters. I cannot forget the film, it resonates within me.
Sean Penn became Harvey Milk. His every movement, fleck of his hair or tug of his smile. James Franco as Scott, Harvey' lover is superb. Emile Hirsch, who played the lead role in Sean Penn's directing debut 'Into The Wild' plays Clem Jones, anactivist in the making. Alison Pill is the Lesbian campaign manager, and she is perfect in this role. Josh Brolin plays Supervisor White, and not for one minute would I have guessed who he was, if I had not seen the credits. Josh Brolin is an actor destined for big roles. Gus Van Sant directs this phenomenon, he interjects footage from the real times in 1978 with present day filming of Harvey Milk in San Franscisco. And Anita Bryant- I was waiting for the pie in the face. She so perfectly personifies the sueprcilious and pompousness of the extreme right and their hatred and misunderstanding of homosexuals.
'Milk' is a fitting Memorial for Harvey Milk. For all the generations who have walked the walk and fought the good fight, kudos to you. For those of you who missed the Gay Rights, start here and get in line. This is a film not to be missed.
Highly, Highly Recommended. prisrob 03-10-09
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