Brilliantly acted and superbly well made

Rating: 9/10 (21 January 2009)

As the world stands and watches the first African American US President take his first steps in the world's most powerful job, it is easy to dream, if only for a moment, that all civil rights struggles have been resolved. Alas, it is not so and, of the many which are still ongoing, one which still causes great controversy, across the democratic world, but especially in the States, is that of homosexuality. Whilst the images and words of MLK are carved onto the world's memory, the actions of people such as Harvey Milk are less well known.
Gus Van Sant's exceptional biopic tells the story of Milk, opening up a new generation, or maybe even generations, to the story of a courageous and important man. With a brilliant script by Dustin Lance Black, the film starts with the end, using documentary footage of the day when Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were shot dead and goes back to tell the story of Milk's rise to power and extraordinary struggle against the prejudice which was sweeping across America.
At the heart of this film is Sean Penn who delivers one of the most tremendous screen performances for many years. He not only becomes his character on screen, but changes him very subtly through the film's eight year time-span. It is a gripping piece of acting, ably supported by an outstanding cast. James Franco is something of a revelation as Milk's lover Scott, whilst Emile Hirsch is impressive once again as the reluctant activist Cleve Jones. All of the supporting cast, though, must bow to the brilliant Josh Brolin who is incredible as city supervisor Dan White and very nearly steals the film.
All of them are framed beautifully in the world of the seventies which Van Sant conjures up with the help of his excellent craftsmen. The world is complete and superbly shot by Harris Savides whose use of reflection throughout the film is constantly inventive (one shot of a whistle is quite extraordinary). As a piece of film-making this is exceptional and always good to watch.
The pace is slow at points, but this is an important story, deserving of a cinematic realisation. It is a moving and engrossing film, with supreme actors and filmmakers working at the top of their game. It amounts to a brilliant piece of storytelling and, particularly when that story is as significant as this one, that makes for great cinema.
4 Stars out of 5