Milk

The CBs have been seeing movies with a pre-Academy Awards vengeance, and last night we saw Milk. We both loved the film and were wowed by the great performances and the way Milk's story was told. Director Gus Van Sant has made this movie so much more than your typical 'fallen hero'/bio-pic. It is a study of a man, a time and a movement. It is beautifully told with amazing archival footage which he skillfully integrates into the film. It reminds us of the world before AIDS, and we see again the dark moments of Anita Bryant and Proposition 6.

This isn't a sexually gratuitous gay story, however, this is the story of a man who was looking for acceptance and dignity and became a politician as a way of achieving these basic goals promised to all in the Constitution. This story of Harvey Milk's life begins in the early '70s right before his 40th birthday when he moves to the Castro area of San Francisco and becomes politically active. He is a community organizer out of his camera shop and, on his third try, wins a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and the recognition as the nation's first openly gay office holder.

Sean Penn's performance is letter perfect and heartbreaking. It made me wonder if there is anyone who can transform himself into a character better than Penn can. He is amazing. The supporting characters are equally well cast: James Franco plays his lover with great sensitivity and charm; James Brolin plays Dan White without any hint of caricature (there is not a Twinkie to be seen); and adorable Emile Hirsh plays the smart organizer Cleeve Jones. The Culture Buddies give Milk 5 stars.