Milk Review

I think mainstream America has a hard time rallying around the gay community and their issues because of too many jokes the heterosexual community tells, and the fact is we’re mostly tired of hearing of all of these people “coming out.”  I’ve always believed who cares what your sexual preference is as long as you’re a good person in life, love, and society. What we ‘straights’ can’t comprehend is that fact that these people were hunted viciously for their preference and that “coming out” was a defiant stand against this attack.

For every movement, there is a leader and in 1977 it was Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in America. Milk is perhaps a deeply personal film for director Gus Van Sant but it’s a rousing, heartfelt biopic of a man who was angry enough to fight. Van Sant directs the film with such vigor; it’s like a composer orchestrating a virtuoso performance. The film is stunningly alive, yet intimate. It never hides anything. This is his world, our America in the late 1970s and this is the result. 

Sean Penn is brilliant, a fully transformed actor into his role, surrounded by other great actors at the top of their game. The film glides along, never stalls, but offers us enough characterization for the entire film creating a rich experience. I fully realize that many of you haven’t heard about Harvey Milk, and those who have will have to struggle with some biopic conventions, but Milk says “you got to give them hope” and after the film ended I wanted a revolution. It’s not my revolution. I’m a heterosexual, but it’s clear that while this was about gay rights, the film transcends the issue and becomes a film about humanity.

I think special mention is needed for Danny Elfman’s score. Elfman is an instantly recognizable composer, especially for his work with Tim Burton. As soon as you hear a few notes you’ll recognize what theme and film it’s from. Although I kind of got tired of his style, here it’s a complete moody, inspirational and haunting score. It never manipulates your feelings for the issues or Milk, but acts as an anchor to latch onto to. I felt this film, this world, this issue. It’s an emotional ride and a great score. 

Van Sant strikes gold coming back to narrative form, after years of trying his hand at art films. I think Milk will be incorrectly categorized as a gay movie and many people will blindly miss this remarkable film. The acting is getting a lot of attention and rightfully so. But I think it’s an important film and one worth while to find and see.

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