Rated R – 2h8

Reviewed 12.09.08

Courage, inspiration and hope are the words that best describe the man and the movie about him.

Within minutes of watching him Sean Penn seamlessly transforms into Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the U.S. The story follows his repeated attempts in the 1970’s to win office in California, to his eventual success and his assassination.

Penn captures the perseverance and humanity of what is seemingly a fragile man, who had an undeniable spirit. There’s a notable supporting cast including Emil Hirsch, Josh Brolin and James Franco. Franco should have received much more camera time.

I typically like Gus Van Sant’s direction in movies, but often cringe through them because you know there’s an insurmountable tragedy coming. This film is told through Milk’s narrative, looking back on his life. Assumedly from an audio diary he kept in case he was assassinated. Van Sant can create such tension in his films; I was hanging on for what was coming next.

That is true for the story of Harvey Milk, but there is also great inspiration to take from a man who stood up for what he believed and fought to change the world for a better place.

Based on Milk, there’s a good chance Sean Penn won’t be denied a shot at the Academy Awards this year.