by Manny The Movie Guy

Created on: December 03, 2008

I first heard about Harvey Milk from the powerful Academy Award-winning documentary "The Times of Harvey Milk" by director Rob Epstein. That was 1984 and I was a very young film buff. 23 years later, director Gus Van Sant brings Milk's story back to the big screen. I'm still a film buff; just a little older.

Milk, as you may have known, was the first openly gay man to be voted into major public office in America. But his victory was not just a celebratory cause for gay rights. Before his untimely death in 1978, Milk also became a fighter for human rights.

Academy Award winner Sean Penn ("Mystic River") gave one of his most heartfelt performances as the slain politician. The actor, known for his mercurial temper, showed his rarely seen tender side. He will be the one to beat this Oscar season.

Painstakingly researched and written by Dustin Lance Black, "Milk" charts the last eight years of Harvey Milk's life. The film begins in New York City where the aimless Milk meets the love of his life, Scott Smith (James Franco giving a compelling performance).

Looking for more purpose, the couple relocates to San Francisco and opens up a small business called Castro Camera.
This is the location where Milk's political grassroots efforts will be borne.

Empowered by the Castro neighborhood, Milk becomes an outspoken agent for change. Equipped with his unwavering passion and support from friends and volunteers, Milk plunges into politics.

Van Sant's style of mixing real footage with recreated scenes is at once powerful and foreboding.
The film's tone is set by the subdued opening sequence showing old footage of police raiding a gay bar where the closeted patrons were shamefully paraded around like cattle in front of news media.

The film's narrative is structured from Milk's point of view. Before he was murdered, Milk taped a series of recordings highlighting his fear of assassination. The filmmakers used those recordings to bridge Milk's heroic journey.

Each of the supporting characters is introduced with great dramatic entrances. The first time we see the memorable Emile Hirsch as Cleve Jones, Milk is trying to persuade him to join his crusade. Jones retorts by saying, "I don't date older men."

Alison Pill also shines as Anne Kronenberg, Milk's campaign manager who helps him win the City Supervisor election.
On January 9, 1978, Milk is sworn into office with his fellow newly elected supervisors. Among them is ex-fireman Dan White (Josh Brolin) who will tragically cross paths with Milk.

"Milk" is both cerebral and emotional. The film succeeds in humanizing Milk by showing his unmitigated fights for gay rights.
Most notable is the appearance of Anita Bryant who becomes gays' and lesbians' public enemy No. 1.

Being the first film to deal with gay rights issues, what would have happened if Focus Features released "Milk" prior to the November elections? Would the movie have helped the cause against Proposition 8?

I spoke with Cleve Jones, who now lives in Palm Springs.
The mesmerizing activist who was Milk's protge conceded, "I wish we would have released the film earlier, it could have persuaded some people against Proposition 8."

Whether "Milk" could have changed election results or not, Harvey Milk, if still alive today, would have grabbed his bull horn and fought for the cause. Van Sant created an honorable tribute to Milk - gay rights activist, friend, lover, fighter, hero, and inspiration.

And for that, "Milk" gets 4 heartfelt kisses.

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