Spring Break
Penn brings Harvey back to life in Gus Van Sant's Milk
Issue date: 12/4/08
Harvey tries to get elected while keeping his outsider values intact but soon finds himself once again in a suit when his first campaign ends unsuccessfully. His defeat is short-lived, though, and Harvey readily climbs aboard his soapbox (literally) and hits the streets once more with his pamphlets, eventually gaining the position of San Francisco city supervisor.
This is a crucial part of Harvey Milk's appeal, and his dogged will to survive all opposition, such a prominent part of Milk's life, is the most inspiring part of the film. He ignores death threats delivered right before he is to give a major speech, telling the campaign manager attempting to dissuade him simply: "The whole nation is watching. I have to."
Milk's biggest challenge came from Christian groups who argued on their religious grounds that homosexuals were moral offenders. Anita Bryant was a famous singer who, during this time, became the face of the anti-gay religious movement. She got catapulted into the national spotlight after successfully repealing an ordinance in Dade County, Fl. that prohibited discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
Meanwhile, Harvey draws the ire of fellow city supervisor Dan White (Josh Brolin) when he refuses a tit-for-tat voting arrangement. Little does he know that in White he is making a serious enemy who proves to be responsible for his tragic downfall.
Milk's subsequent popularity draws attention from radical religious groups who bring their bigoted fight against homosexuals clear across the country to California where Milk had gotten a similar ordinance passed in the city. State Senator John Briggs (Denis O'Hare), following Bryant's lead, forced a proposition onto the ballot that would repeal the ordinance.
Suddenly, Harvey Milk finds himself in the most important battle of his life. Aided by his right hand campaign organizer, Cleve Jones, played admirably by Emile Hirsch, Milk goes campaigning around the state against the proposition, encouraging homosexuals who have not come out to do so. Yet again Milk's indomitable spirit wins out as the voters of California are galvanized into stopping the proposition in its tracks.
Of course, every biographical film is also only as strong as the imitation of the real-life counterpart whom the main actor sets out to portray.
Sean Penn plays the role of Harvey Milk magnificently, immersing himself into the role so completely as to definitely garner another Oscar nomination. He takes the story of a pioneering politician beyond the fiery speeches and stirring marches and conveys with masterful yet simple compassion Milk's ultimate message.
In the end what is most important to Harvey Milk is a simple idea for oppressed gays across the country, an idea he gave his life for: "You've gotta give them hope. You've gotta give them hope."
This is a crucial part of Harvey Milk's appeal, and his dogged will to survive all opposition, such a prominent part of Milk's life, is the most inspiring part of the film. He ignores death threats delivered right before he is to give a major speech, telling the campaign manager attempting to dissuade him simply: "The whole nation is watching. I have to."
Milk's biggest challenge came from Christian groups who argued on their religious grounds that homosexuals were moral offenders. Anita Bryant was a famous singer who, during this time, became the face of the anti-gay religious movement. She got catapulted into the national spotlight after successfully repealing an ordinance in Dade County, Fl. that prohibited discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
Meanwhile, Harvey draws the ire of fellow city supervisor Dan White (Josh Brolin) when he refuses a tit-for-tat voting arrangement. Little does he know that in White he is making a serious enemy who proves to be responsible for his tragic downfall.
Milk's subsequent popularity draws attention from radical religious groups who bring their bigoted fight against homosexuals clear across the country to California where Milk had gotten a similar ordinance passed in the city. State Senator John Briggs (Denis O'Hare), following Bryant's lead, forced a proposition onto the ballot that would repeal the ordinance.
Suddenly, Harvey Milk finds himself in the most important battle of his life. Aided by his right hand campaign organizer, Cleve Jones, played admirably by Emile Hirsch, Milk goes campaigning around the state against the proposition, encouraging homosexuals who have not come out to do so. Yet again Milk's indomitable spirit wins out as the voters of California are galvanized into stopping the proposition in its tracks.
Of course, every biographical film is also only as strong as the imitation of the real-life counterpart whom the main actor sets out to portray.
Sean Penn plays the role of Harvey Milk magnificently, immersing himself into the role so completely as to definitely garner another Oscar nomination. He takes the story of a pioneering politician beyond the fiery speeches and stirring marches and conveys with masterful yet simple compassion Milk's ultimate message.
In the end what is most important to Harvey Milk is a simple idea for oppressed gays across the country, an idea he gave his life for: "You've gotta give them hope. You've gotta give them hope."
Be the first to comment on this story