Milk DVD Review- Sean Penn

Giving up the three piece suit and leaving behind an integrated salary in the big leagues was more of a relief than a worry to Harvey Milk.  Wanting a life outside of the closet door, Harvey sets his sights upon re-igniting his life and going after what he wants.  No one can tell him no and since he’s already been dead for 40 years, he doesn’t plan on being around to be dead another 40.

He finds love with a young man, “Scott” played by James Franco and they both move to the Castro in San Francisco and embark on the true tale of a gay man, a dream, and the brilliant perseverance for gay rights.

Building a life in a camera shop and enlisting a society of gay friendly businesses was Harvey’s forte in order to avoid and speak out about those people who were not accepting of gay rights.  Why not? He was a fantastic businessman in another life.

Milk built the Castro up to become a prime gay rights hub that reflected the biased news via marches and newspapers and speeches. During this time several key politicians were coming out against gay rights stating it was “against God”. Somehow Harvey was able to sway a vote (after 3 other attempts) to be the first gay man elected- as the city supervisor in San Francisco.  In one district over was the luke warm Mr. White who was also elected and worked side by side Milk. White is a strict Irish Catholic politician uncomfortable in his skin as he works closely with Milk on society’s issues. Played by Josh Brolin to perfection, he is a pivotal character in the film.- (Read on to hear about the positives and negatives of Penn’s acting..)

The fascinating ending to this man’s life is what makes the movie incredible. I won’t give it away but if you already know the story it evokes such a powerful message of the futile stupidity and ignorance that can eat our best people….and our best days up.

Sean Penn has a way of acting that provides more intimacy and detail than was probably ever recorded or scripted. He has the ability to feel and react to emotion and therefore you gravitate towards believing he actually is Harvey Milk. I kept reminding myself of a line in Christopher Cicconne’s book “Life With My Sister Madonna” that points out how Sean Penn did a blood pact with Christopher when he was marrying Madonna. Years later he came up to him and asked him if he had AIDS and if he should be worried. I find it ironic that he is doing this film, but hopeful that either Christopher’s comments were made up or Sean Penn was revolutionized by the story.

What I did not like about Sean Penn was something I don’t think anyone else picked up on. Once I tell people they usually say OH MY GOD- YOU ARE RIGHT. I felt like I was watching the same acting as Penn performed in “I Am Sam“.

I’m talking about that kooky arm movement..the ability to cock his head to evoke emotion- the shouting and partial tourrets with a slice of down syndrome. I actually had to ask my friend if Harvey Milk was slightly retarded?  Once I got into the film about 30 minutes I got enough smart and engaging dialogue from Harvey that I knew he couldn’t be.  I just could not shake this for the entire film though.  Sean Penn must act this way to a degree in real life and so it carries over in his other films (I know …not the best statement but you get my point). I expected to see something quite unusual and different-I’m not sure I saw that in his performance. I think it was brushed over due to the gay factor at the Oscars=we like gay movies. –ESPECIALLY if someone like Penn is going to act gay.

As far as the other cast, the touching part of the film is the close resemblance of the true real life characters and the film characters. The movie did a great job showing the inside circle of Milk’s group and how they coped with the life on the Castro during these most prevalent times. Milk’s main squeeze, “Scott” , played by Franco, was not only believable, it was beautiful.

Milk’s life was cut too short and it happened at a time when he was making the most impact. The beauty of the story is how prolific he was to the group around him and how they went on to continue his legacy in bright viral ways.  The script was fantastic and smooth. I say go see this for the intimate historical value that I myself was not as knowledgeable on. Go see it for the great conversion of Franco, Penn and Brolin. Go see it to understand how powerful one person can be and how failure is part of the game. Overall I give this film a A-.

Comments

1. March 26th, 2009 - 6:35 pm

RC Says:

This doesn’t have to do with the review, but where was the photo taken with the graphic on the wall of Harvey and his quote? It’s really beautiful.

2. November 21st, 2009 - 9:33 pm

nano x Says:

Malibu born and bred -family was in the movie business
‘daring outsider renegade’ fraud Sean Penn turning
in still another of his clever and sustained
impersonations that pass as acting.

Meanwhile, comfort-zone America is now officially
the junk-credit opium addict of some of the most
genocidal monsters in world history just across
the Pacific.

—Enjoy the peanutbutter!!!

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