Van Sant's Best To Date

Rating: 9/10 (10 May 2019)

I've been a Van Sant fan since " Drugstore Cowboy" and " My Own Private Idaho". He is able to create masterful works of art while tackling some of the most controversial and difficult subject matter. This is his best work to date and a bravura biopic drama. This film has superlative direction, screenplay, cinematography, soundtrack, settings, costume and acting. Penn, Franco, Brolin, Hirsch, Luna, Cross and Pill are superb. Penn delivers the finest and most commanding portrayal of his stellar career. I've seen a documentary on Harvey and it was as if I was viewing actual footage of him. The plot revolves around Harvey Milk who became the first openly gay man elected to the first notable public office seat on the Board of Supervisors in San Francisco. Before accomplishing that goal Harvey, his partner Scott and friends transform the Castro District of San Francisco into a safe haven for gays and lesbians. He achieves these goals against all odds and some less then fair political opposition. He stood up to such bigots as Anita Bryant and John Biggs during the process. A member of his board is a politically and socially straight laced God fearing Christian Dan White. White has been on the supporting side of a proposition to ban gays and lesbians from teaching in public schools. This proposition sparks a course of events that leads White to becoming unhinged, hateful and out for vengeance. The plot is witty, clever, realistic, surreal, insightful, violent, exorcising, heart wrenching and cathartic. This film is an outstanding examination of how human beings pathetic inability to accept or at least tolerate beliefs other than their own has divided this country and destroyed lives unnecessarily. Van Sant's tribute and celebration of a groundbreaking and courageous man is flawless, bold and brilliant. This is a timeless classic and an ingenious film in it's genre.