One of Penn's greatest performances of his career

Rating: 7/10 (8 March 2020)

Sean Penn has a long list of character portrayals, many of which were critically acclaimed. One that earned him the honor of "best actor" at the Academy Awards was his role as the assassinated politician and LGBT advocate Harvey Milk in Gus Van Sant's 2008 biopic 'Milk.'
Everything about the film revolves around Penn and how he brings to life the San Francisco city official's grassroots rise and tragic fall. Say what you will about Penn, but he's able to really dig down deep into his roles and almost actually become them in a way that makes him come across as authentic. In 'Milk,' Penn is supported by the likes of Emile Hirsch, James Franco and Diego Luna - all of whom are high-caliber actors in their own right - and he has the perfect foil in Josh Brolin as Milk's political archrival, Dan White.
The film does a good job of not stretching to fit too many aspects of Milk's life into its 128 minutes, instead opting to focus on the events that took place later in his life that would shape the LGBT movement for years to come. And while it's based on true events, 'Milk' doesn't come off as being too sensational or preachy.
It may not be one of the most memorable film adaptations of a U.S. politician's life, but 'Milk' continues to be one of the high water marks of Sean Penn's career.