Review of Milk? (2012) by Liz — 28 Feb 2011

An inspiring biopic of Harvey Milk, one of the most famous openly gay public government officials in U.S. history. Firstly, this is a tragic epic of a man's life, and an epic needs to be written to the full extent of it's stories abilites-- Dustin Lance Black did this. Black may be young but he has a power in his writing that is unparalleled and unextinguishable. The understanding for a man's life, struggles and cause was translated with a grace and eligance that only ageful wisdom can bring, and Black, though not aged, has this wisdom. There is definitly more beauty to come from his mind in the future.

Sean Penn headlines with a tragically beautiful and heart-breaking performance that was soul deep, and internally visible. His emotions were powerful and visible in the slightest flicker of his eye or change in his stance.

Danny Elfman added his quirky and very original score that does nothing but back up an already fantastic movie.

The fact about a movie like this is simply that it isn't acting, but it is a refreshing of the past, and the real-event that helped change thousands of lives country wide. This is not a movie, it is a speech to all the young homosexual American's telling them that it is okay, and it will be alright.

James Franco had the most chemistry with Sean Penn that two straight men can have while acting gay. Sean Penn and James Franco seemed sincerley in love when they were on screen. It was emotionally draining to watch the two together. Franco's charm and personality were in full view, and his open-innocence will win him many roles to come.

The cast was entirely fantastic, and it is too hard to comment on everyone so I made an order of their talents in the film(my scale may not be yours).

1. James Franco.

2. Sean Penn.

3. Emile Hirsh.

4. Alison Pill.

5. Lucas Gabriel.

6. Josh Brolien.

7.Diego Luna.

8.Joseph Cross.

Amazing some of my favorite quotes:

I'm harvey milk and I'm here to recruit you!" -- Harvey Milk.

I know i'm not what you expected but I left my high heels at home!" Harvey Milk.

"Your going to be very fat by the time your fifty if you keep eating this cake!" Scottie.

Dan White: "Society can't exist without the family.

Harvey Milk: We're not against that.

Dan White: Can two men reproduce? Harvey Milk: No, but God knows we keep trying.".

Oh bye the way I pissed in your pool" Scottie.

Your adorrable, why don't we get you registered!" Harvey Milk.

Scottie: "are you on uppers or something?".

Harvey: "No this is plain old me!".

Scott Smith: [Harvey and Scott are finally sitting down to dinner] Don't say ANYTHING.

Harvey Milk: [tucks his napkin under the collar of his shirt, eats a bite] Can I just tell you...

Scott Smith: If you say anything, about politics, or the campaign, or what speech you have to give, or anything, I swear to God I'm gonna stab you with this fork.

Harvey Milk: I just wanted to say... that this is the most wonderful dinner I have ever had.

[Both start laughing].

Harvey Milk: If we lose this, it'll just be you and me again, I promise.

A homosexual with power... that's scary!" Harvey Milk.

"If it's true that children emulate their teachers we'd have a hell of a lot more nuns running around!" Harvey Milk.

How do you teach homosexuality? Is it like French?" Harvey Milk.

All these quotes and more are the reason the movie can go from funny to sad and right back! It's the writing and emotions and I thank the cast for the emotions and the writer (Dustin Lance Black) for writing this... even though I really should thank the real people for living this.

This movie deserves all the five stars I've given it. I'm just upset that so many people don't want to see it because they don't want to see a gay movie. But it's something that is irreplaceble! It's a movie that shows how much one person can change the world by starting with his/her own neighborhood. You can start with your street than your city than your state and even if your not there to see it, it can change the entire country and then world. And you can change circumstances for one "type" of person and it will help change circumstances for all other types of people.