Got MILK?

Rating: 9/10 (28 November 2008)

MILK is about as powerful as a great drama can be. It aims straight for the heart and moves you. It targets your mind and challenges your way of thinking. We've seen so many drama films about civil rights and racial tension and now MILK brings you something similar but with an issue that will rattle your comfort zone. No matter what your position is on gay rights, you will feel like the cause that MILK is fighting for is your cause too. That said, this is Sean Penn's movie. Another magnificent achievement by an actor who's sharp, brilliant and a perfectionist when the camera is on. Definitely one of the best on-screen performances I've ever seen in my entire life.
Director Gus Van Sant who brought us Good Will Hunting proves that he's a cunning filmmaker who's good at what he does whether it'd be mainstream or art-house projects. With his crew and especially Cinematography by Harry Savides, he manages to deliver a presentation that doesn't only look and feel like the 70s and but it also goes side by side in harmony with every archival footage taken from that era.
If you're homo-phobic, then you'll find it tough watching this movie because the camera does not away from what the actors are willing to do to be convincing. Some scenes are done in a very artful manner, it's not afraid of dealing with the lack of light and trying new angels of capturing a view or a scene, and at the same time, it's also surprisingly brave enough to go all the way blunt. On top of that, I think Gus Van Sant's elegant direction gives the actors the freedom to go the extra mile. I especially respect how he orchestrates the final tragic scene and make it seem very shocking and touching at the same time.
The script by Dustin Lance Black is brutally honest and it's got what it takes to be one of the best this year. The lines are memorable, often funny, with a certain intelligence and smart remarks that will easily be embedded in the minds of the audience. The story flows nicely with the timeline and the characters and it doesn't drag at all. This is the work of a man who did his research well.
I gotta give credit to all the actors.. I remember years ago, there were some in the gay community who was a bit upset that a straight man like Tom Hanks played a gay man in the drama Philadelphia but after watching how excellent he was in it.. the criticism turned into praises. Most of the cast in MILK are straight and that's what makes them good actors. Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna, and James Franco dive into the roles they play, you will never see them the same way anymore after this. Impressive performers, great ensemble cast. And Josh Brolin who has the nag for choosing good gigs to do, gives a haunting performance. There's one scene where his character, Dan White, sits on the couch and you can see from the looks on his face, that all his frustration, anger and jealousy just clouding him, coming down and taking over his soul. A performance worthy of a best supporting actor.
We know that Sean Penn is one of the greatest actors of our generation but that whole sentence will mean even more after you've watched MILK. It's unbelievable how he successfully becomes Harvey Milk, it's like Sean Penn is not who you see on the screen, his transformation is simply extraordinary. Penn's got the charisma and the astounding ability to make us connect with his character. I'm glad movies like this are made, and I think more movies like this should be made. By that I mean, inspiring, heartfelt, mesmerizing, real human drama that won't hide in the closet but instead, would dare to go out to show the changes that need to be made.
I don't believe in Gay Marriage, when it comes to that issue, I'm an old-fashioned guy but I do believe in equality, in human rights and treating your fellow mankind and neighbors without prejudice and discrimination no matter what the race, religion, ethnic, and sexual orientation may be. My old man once said that if a person has the balls to start a revolution, to change something that most other people would disagree with, then that person is as good as having signed a death wish by assassination. I guess that's how you distinguish a good leader from a great leader, to what extent would you be brave enough to believe in the cause and start something drastic and new only because it's the right thing to do?