Milking The Penn Factor? (Milk (DVD))

Member Name: paul1983

Product:	Milk (DVD)
Date:	23/10/09 (5 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good story, political.

Disadvantages: Poor middle

Massive Sean Penn fan and generally a fan of these biopic type films, therefore I was fairly excited to be watch this film and was expecting a superb Penn performance, as is both the norm and as billed, plus an enthralling story with a political motive.

However I sadly have to say I was somewhat disappointed with the film overall. A steady begining felt somewhat rushed, we didn't learn enough about Milk's early years, just that he was homosexual and little else. On a whim he goes to San Fransisco with his new boyfriends, finds it slightly homophobic and sets about changing things. The middle part, which should have been the most gripping part was droll, dry and a bit boring to be frank. Around this point I found myself playing on my phone rather than paying attention to the film.

I won't give away too much of the ending but the final 30 minutes are by far the best of the film. Penn shines but doesn't really reach the heights of I Am Sam, in fact he doesn't even come close. Maybe that's a reflection on said performance rather than this display, which is far from shoddy but perhaps a little too needy at times.

I've read and heard of people crying through this film, I personally failed to see the emotion in this film to merit such reaction.

Summary: Worth a watch, just don't expect fireworks.