Got milk, anyone?

Rating: 6/10 (2 January 2009)

Milk tells the tale of supervisor Harvey Milk, a political man who flaunts his sexuality to oppose modern beliefs, and gain his his First Amendment right as he runs for mayor of San Fransisco.
Personally I believe that the directing was excellent, and Gus Van Sant truly kept even the straightest of people rooting for Harvey Milk by making his movie so entertaining. Acting was worth a remark as well. Great performances by Penn, Franco, and Hirsch (quite the transformation from into the wild if u ask me). I also learned a thing or two about how gays were treated during the 1970s due to religious and social turmoil.
Having said that, I also believe that the "gay" part of the movie was what completely ruined it. The producers could have done the same exact story with any other minority. A black candidate in an anti-black community, a Muslim candidate in an anti Muslim community, and the list could go on an on. What most people see in a heartwarming, entertaining flick, I see desperation in trying to get the ever-growing gay community to side with this movie. And I'm afraid that might influence certain big-name awards such as the Oscars. Why destroy social and religious values? Simply because the movie was directly aimed at the gay community.
Critics are hailing this movie as a "true American epic". A true American epic? Do they know what that says about America? To me, it is absolute nonsense, and despite the entertaining theatrical factors the movie possesses, I highly dislike the idea of promoting this certain anti-religion minority in such a way.
I also believe that one should learn about history no matter what ethics or rules it opposes. What happened has happened, therefore we might as well learn about it as we cant really change it. And I'm perfectly pleased to learn a history lesson about homosexuals and their troubles during the 70s. Just not while watching Sean Penn and James Franco make out.