Milk (2008)

No Comments | Trackback | Permalink | March 16th, 2010

If someone tried picking you up in a grimy subway stairwell today, I’m sure the majority of people would think ‘oh my god, creep!’ This however, is exactly what is depicted in the beginning of the movie Milk between Harvey Milk and Scott Smith – a rather bold move by writer Dustin Lance Black, who concocted the chance meeting through pure fiction. While Milk is quintessentially a biopic/drama based loosely on Harvey Milk and his political career, it simultaneously highlights the foundations of his political and personal endeavours through his relationships and peers. It is for this reason that Milk is so fascinating to watch, particularly for those who aren’t usually into watching political dramas!

For a movie that is focussed on a whole lot of political affairs, it is the genius quick cutting of one scene to another, combined with the archival and documentary style footage that keeps interest until the end; underscoring just how radical and new age Milk’s vision and influence was back in the 70’s.  The screenplay is so well crafted, and the editing so seamless, it not only brings to light how the perception of homosexuality has changed over the past few decades, but also emphasizes the utilization of the many different types of old and new media in the script thanks to the impressively stylised directing style employed by Gus Van Sent.

In an era in which homosexuals were treated as sub-human, watching Milk is inherently thought provoking in observing how gay rights have evolved to present day. Instigating a massive gay rights movement in the heart of San Francisco, Harvey Milk clearly brought the issue and the gays into the public eye with the hopes of everyone being seen as equal human beings with equal rights. Similarly, the film Milk was released in concurrence to California’s 2008 referendum on gay marriage, otherwise known as Prop 8. The message of hope, unity and equality is heard audibly through this film’s tightly written screenplay and cast of A-grade actors, undoubtedly inspiring many voters to think over the tremendous decision of allowing gays to officially get married. Milk’s relevancy to today’s politics is powerful in showing the determination of Harvey and his team – in a script grounded by documentary like archival footage, it is inspirational in delivering the message of fighting for what you believe in. Although it is sometimes dragged down by a milieu of over the top dramatization and excessive use of footage, the actors make the most of the wonderfully inspired script, which in turn highlights the importance of Milk’s actions at the time.

Although in typical biopic style fashion a narrator is used in the form of Milk recording his own will before his assassination, the combinations of brilliant directing, scriptwriting and editing makes for a powerful political film. Milk’s various relationships portrayed in the film also make up the bulk of the film’s grounding, particularly between lover, Scott Smith. Through the tumultuous political affairs of his activism, then his political career within the Californian government, the focus on his life as a homosexual man is reiterated on all angles – from his sexual encounters to the berating and death threats he receives from anonymous hate mongers.

Sean Penn is utterly convincing as Harvey Milk, and it is undoubtedly the strength of his performance that allows audiences to take the issue and the events portrayed in both a light hearted but thoughtful way. His speeches to the crowds are often powerful and passionate, his debate with his opposition persuasive. Indeed, Penn’s portrayal of Milk just may be one of his career bests, his portrayal of a gay man compelling and not at all awkward. The chemistry between Penn and James Franco, who plays his lover/ex Scott Smith is also emphatic in celebrating the joy and partnership between the two individuals. Their relationship is key in focussing on the affects of politics on Milk, as well as the consequences and downfalls he went through to achieve his dream of equality. It is certainly admirable in seeing just how much passion he had for his vision, especially since almost every relationship he had ended in disaster because of it.

The use of archival and dated footage is also another aspect of Milk that brings the drama and events back to reality. The cross cutting between the drama played out between Milk and his allies and enemies, alongside the TV reports and extra footage of the real life events is telling in portraying the massive cultural change occurring in the 70’s, as well as the brutality of living as a gay person in that time. Although there is not a lot of female representation in the movie asides from Milk’s assistant Anne Kronenberg (Alison Pill), the ramifications of his actions serves to exemplify how important the gay rights movement is now than ever before.

Almost 40 years down the track and gay rights still seem to be at the losing end of the spectrum, despite the efforts of gay icon Harvey Milk. If the ending of the film is anything to go by, it is without a doubt an issue entrenched in everyday lives, and everyday times. The sacrifices Milk made for the purpose of the movement is simply thought provoking when one looks at how much he has done politically. While the movement still seems to have a while to go yet, Gus Van Sent has done a spectacular job at  recreating Milk’s life and vision on screen – delivering a powerful message of hope and peace in the process.

~ Jakki posted at 9:21 pm

See Also...

• The Hurt Locker (2008)
• Shutter Island (2010)
• Korkoro/Freedom (2009)