Movie Review: Milk

I remember when I first heard that there was a movie called Milk coming out, I had a hard time trying to think of what a movie with that title could possibly be about. Obviously, I had never heard of Harvey Milk. Then I saw the trailer and thought it looked interesting, if a bit overbearing. The use of the giant letters on the white screen punctuated by music just grated on me. Plus, I have never been much of a Sean Penn fan. Sure, there is no denying that he is a quality actor but there is something about the way he carries himself in the real world that just makes him seem like someone I would rather not be associated with. Still, the cast was intriguing and the man certainly seemed like the right subject for a biopic.

So, off I went with a tray of pretzel bites (that never last long enough) and a big bottle of water into the darkened theater. I sat there with a decent sized crowd as the lights dimmed and the movie began. It was not long before a realization immediately came to me. This movie may not be the best of its kind, but it was certainly made by someone who was deeply invested in the subject. Director Gus Van Sant is an openly gay (whatever that is exactly supposed to mean — does he wear a sandwich board announcing his sexuality?) filmmaker with a proven track record with such films as Good Will Hunting, To Die For, My Own Private Idaho, and Drugstore Cowboy to his credit (of course there is also the Psycho remake in there too). I am not sure there is another "name" director that would be right for the project.

I do not consider Van Sant to be an incredible director, nor a visionary one, but there is always a sincerity to his films that shines through and Milk is no exception. It is his passion combined with that of screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and star Sean Penn that injects this movie with an energy that draws the audience in, captivating them with this compelling portrait of a man whose influence may not be immediately known by the populace at large but it is one whose ripples are certainly still felt, despite the recent passage of California's Prop 8.

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. Visit: Critical Outcast. …

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