Review of Milk (2008) by Lord N — 11 Sep 2010

This is one of those movies that, for some people not everyone, if you like it, no one has a problem with it, if you don't you're homophobic. At least, that's what I would gather from my experiences. Take the last American Presidential election. "If you don't vote for Obama you're a racist". Maybe I'm wrong, but since this film is very pro-gay rights, I would imagine that that would transfer. maybe I'm wrong.

Acting: When Sean Penn beat Mickey Rourke for the 2008 Best Actor award thereby winning his second best actor Oscar (his first one being for Mystic River) I was surprised. Knowing what I know now about the Oscars, in terms of how political they are, I am not surprised. I will say that while I haven't seen The Wrestler, Penn did a fantastic job. If I had not expected Mickey Rourke to win then I would have picked Penn. He totally made the movie. Without his performance, the film would have absolutely sucked. The supporting cast does a fantastic job as well. 10/10.

Plot: well, it's based off of a true story. There isn't too much that they can change it. The story is a really good one and they pulled off the story very well. 10/10.

Screenplay: well, the screenwriter won an Oscar for it and I can certainly see why. He brought the story of Harvey Milk to life very well. I have no problems with it. 10/10.

Likableness: well, the film is very likable. It is an extremely well crafted film no matter what your take is on the issue that the film is based on. I will say that this film did kinda make me rethink my stance on it. It didn't change it per say, It just made me rethink it. which I'm sure is what it was trying to do. 10/10.

FINAL SCORE: 40/40 100% (N).

TRIVIA TIME: 1. Matt Damon was originally cast as Dan White, but had to back out due to scheduling conflicts with Green Zone.

2. Thousands of people agreed to take part in the film as extras for free.

3. It was widely reported that while filming a scene at the old Castro Camera, some of the actors claimed that they saw a man come in and sit on a couch. After the scene was filmed, nobody else claimed to have seen the man, and the actors themselves went on to claim that it was perhaps the ghost of Harvey Milk.

4. During the filming of the scene in which Dan White's son Charles is christened, the real Charles White was on the set.