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MILK (Running Time: 128 min; Rated: R)
Reviewed by Denise Castillón

YES, MILK!

Director Gus Van Sants’ dynamic film MILK opens with Sean Penn as Harvey Milk narrating a final message of hope into a tape recorder in prediction of his assassination before he reaches fifty years of age. Weaving historical black and white footage, the biographical drama goes on to recount of the last eight years in the life of Harvey Milk, prior to his appointment as the US's first openly gay elected official and until the San Francisco supervisor is shoot to death along with Mayor George Moscone by San Francisco Supervisor Dan White.

The most powerful scenes occur late in the film with the stunning performance of Sean Penn in the climatic shooting of Milk, and the painfully touching conclusion sequences. The provocative kissing exchanges between Penn and James Franco, as Milk’s long-time lover, arrive early in film. This will ease a mainstream audience to draw back into the story of Milk’s social activism and political campaigning to preserve Human Rights that included racial minorities and senior citizens, and not exclusively gay issues.

Many contemporary films have depicted prejudices in the 60’s and 70’s, and show how they ignited citizens at that time into vociferous activism. However, none of these films seem to have remotely inspired today’s generally complacent American society into demonstrating like passionate fervor for present-day injustices. Time will tell if the departing words of the film’s hero “You gotta give ‘em hope” are in effect encouraging.

Oscar and Golden Globe Award winner, Sean Penn stars along with a sizeable and talented ensemble of actors, -James Franco, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, Victor Garber, Diego Luna, Alison Pill as well as non-actors, who were among Milk’s real-life supporters, -Allan Bard, Frank Robinson, Tom Ammiano and Cleve Jones (who is played in the film by Emile Hirsch).

While Sean Penn has deservedly received much Oscar-talk for his riveting acting performance, equal attention is warranted for Josh Brolin as Dan White. Brolin’s superb characterization eloquently exposes Dan White the true “outsider” amongst the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Whereas, Diego Luna’s interpretation of Milk’s later lover was just plain silly.

Directed by Gus Van Sant (Elephant, Good Will Hunting, My Private Idaho). Written by Dustin Lance Black, (Big Love). Director of Photography, Harris Savides, A.S.C. Edited by Elliot Graham. Music by Danny Elfman. Costume Designer, Danny Glicker. Production Designer, Bill Groom.

Produced by Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen. Executive Producers, Michael London, Dustin Lance Black, Bruna Papandrea, Barbara A. Hall, William Horberg. A Focus Features Release.