Penn is a revelation (Milk (DVD))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	Milk (DVD)
Date:	07/07/09 (6 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great performances and script

Disadvantages: None

Milk is one of Gus Van Sant's more restrained works as of late - after a wealth of experimental films, including the "Death Trilogy" (consisting of Last Days, Gerry, and Elephant), as well as Paranoid Park - Van Sant has finally returned to what is his best strength, and that's a straightforward narrative like that of Good Will Hunting. Milk also won an Academy Award for Sean Penn's superb performance (although the fact that it won over Mickey Rourke's astounding turn for The Wrestler is ridiculous).

Milk is an account of the life of gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk (Penn), who was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. It also depicts his conservative opposition, Dan White (Josh Brolin, who also delivered a great performance). Milk begins on Harvey Milk's 40th birthday, prior to his settling into San Francisco, and depicts his fights against political campaigns to limit the rights of gay people in 1977 and 1978 run by Anita Bryant and John Briggs. His personal and political relationships are explored extensively also (with Diego Luna and James Franco playing two of his lovers), as well as his numerous clashes with troubled Supervisor Dan White. The film concluds as Milk and Mayor George Moscone are slain by an incensed White.

If there's one main reason to see Milk, it is undoubtedly Penn's performance - he turns in a performance that's altogether witty, a little campy, but ultimately, a very authentic tribute to the man himself. Penn has now recieved five Oscar nominations (two of which he won), and it wasn't for nothing - he is a superb actor, but this really should not have been his to win, which even Penn recognised himself at the 2009 Oscars.

Sean Penn anchors Gus Van Sant's best film in years with an outstanding, Oscar-calibre portrayal of the first openly gay man elected to public office. Although ultimately a dirge for the slain politician, Milk is smart, witty and important, replete with compelling supporting performances from Josh Brolin and James Franco.

Summary: A compelling drama