Films like this and Bruno were made to show what America is like today.

Rating: 10/10 (8 August 2010)

Two time Oscar winner Sean Penn gives his richest, most believable,and greatest performance as Harvey Milk in the bio film, Milk, from director Gus Van Sant,who did Good will hunting. Now there is a reason behind the making of Milk. Not just to show gay pride. But to show how America was with gays and how they still are today. Kind of like Bruno,but more serious.
Harvey Milk(Penn) is a San Franciso gay resident with a gay lover(James Franco in his best performance also). Back in the 70's being gay was a huge deal. So big that riots would start. So Milk runs to be a politician to stand up for gay rights.Along the way he makes many friends,and enemies,and you see the rise and fall of Milk.
Milk,which I think deserved Best picture, is actually quite uplifting. More than you'd think. Because most people today are so anti-gay. I'm not exactly for it, but i'm not like the rest of America. Though some have learned to accept it, some still haven't. That is what Milk tries to teach.
What really makes Milk a masterpiece is Sean Penn's performance. We know he's not gay. He was married to Robin Wright for many years. But the way he portrays Milk is so real and rich you actually believe that he is a gay man. The acting job that he gives... is magical.
Some of the characters are very likable. Like Emile Hersch as a gay hooker who Milk becomes friends with and who helps out with the campaign. Josh Brolin is terrific as Dan White, the man who lost to Harvey and soon gets into a rivalry with.
Milk is occasionally funny. But overall it's so great because of Sean Penn's performance and because of the uplifting story. I loved Milk a lot more than I thought I would. Because it's on the topic of gays. I guess i'm part of the reason as to why it was made. I've learned that it's okay to enjoy a gay movie. America should be more open minded. Which is why they made this film.
4/4