Writer/Director: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Sean Penn, Josh Brolin and James Franco
‘A Captivating Biopic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the praise of Josh Brolin. Since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Brolin has become a celebrated icon. Whether it’s corrupt drug dealers, infinity space scavengers or gangsters, Brolin is one of those actors that has played many powerful characters. Arguably, Brolin’s finest strength as an actor has always been his dedication to his craft. He’s one of those rare actors which has always poured his heart and soul in every role. Brolin has always had a powerful screen presence that has always elevated every film he’s in. Through his abilities to portray strong characters which are compelling, Brolin has built a powerful legacy that has proven to be lasting. An actor with strong commitment to his craft, Brolin has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Shining bright light in darkness, Brolin has become a celebrated icon on the modern entertainment business. Throughout his enduring career, Brolin has created many memorable movies that are definitely without any doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of Brolin and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Milk” is absolutely my favourite. Released in 2008, Gus Van Sant’s film offered an engaging depiction of Harvey Milk. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best biopics ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Josh Brolin, who portrayed the cold-blooded killer which killed a gay politician. Ultimately, what makes “Milk” a historical masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a bold message about the importance of finding one’s identity which will resonate with everyone. Unlike most films about politicians, it tackles bold themes that would resonate with everyone. A riveting masterpiece about a renowned gay politician, there are serval strong reasons why “Milk” is a movie which is definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
Set in 1970’s San Francisco, “Milk” recounts the true story of gay politician Harvey Milk. Sean Penn portrays Harvey Milk, a gay man that takes great pride in his sexual identity. Milk has always been determined to change the way in which homosexual individuals are treated in America. Milk’s life forever changes when he becomes the first openly gay man elected in public office. However, Milk’s dream to transform America is threatened when he faces backlash. Targeted by the politician Dan White (Josh Brolin), Milk becomes under tense hardship causing plight. Questioning whether he can change America, Milk faces tensions of homophobia. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Milk questions whether it’s possible to transform a country in which homosexuals face terror. In his pursuit of achieving justice for the LGBTQ community, Milk becomes an icon in American history.
Gus Van Sant is a newcomer towards stories of gay politicians. Before he directed “Milk”, Van Sant had never produced a movie about the gay community. Van Sant was well known for his coming of age film “Good Will Hunting”. With “Milk”, however, the director created his first ever historical drama. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the barriers endured by a queer political leader, but he pulled it off successfully. Using gorgeous cinematography, Van Sant captures a gay political leader on a journey to discover identity. Visually, the movie is a feast for the eyes which is as stunning as rallies Milk seeks to organize. Van Sant deftly uses historical archival footage to demonstrate a gay politician seeking to change America. For instance, archival footage enhances the LGBTQ movement scene. During this intense scene, Harvey Milk delivers a strong speech toward a crowd of protesters. One admires real-life archival footage capturing tensions that gay politicians are enduring. Archival footage is a tricky technique to use in films. Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” proved archival footage enhances historical movies about bomb inventors. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through engrossing visuals. Van Sant captures the hardships that gay politicians are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Milk” deserving appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Gus Van Sant has always had an eye for recreating bygone eras in his movies, and “Milk” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Van Sant expertly uses costumes to showcase Harvey Milk’s transformation into a renowned politician. Throughout the movie, Milk’s clothes become a symbol which showcase his sexual identity. For instance, costumes enhance the political convention scene. During this intense scene, Milk attends a commemorated political convention wearing strong clothing. It’s hard to not appreciate costumes showcasing sexuality of a gay politician with bravery. Through these costumes, Van Sant crafts a strong character whom viewers can easily relate to. Moreover, the musical score is dazzling. Danny Elfman’s music is integral to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing heavy burden that gay politicians bear. Using strong production-design, Van Sant captures politicians facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Milk” is a captivating film about gay rights which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and successfully uses non-linear storytelling to capture the hardships which homosexual politicians are facing. Van Sant’s finest screenwriting strength is capturing the life of a gay politician facing tensions through non-linear storytelling. The film seamlessly switches back and forth between two strong timelines: Milk’s narration recording of his time as a politician and flashbacks of his past life. It’s an unusual structure to use in a biopic but it works immensely. Through this meaningful non-linear structure, Van Sant celebrates an iconic political leader. Non-linear storytelling is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Richard Attenborough’s “Gandhi” claimed, non-linear storytelling elevates biographies about Indian politicians. Christopher Nolan’s “Memento” suggested non-linear storytelling enhances movies about memory loss. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an engaging screenplay, Van Sant celebrates a gay politician that forever changed the world today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Sean Penn delivers one of his greatest career performances as Harvey Milk. Penn achieved appreciation for playing troubled men in crime thrillers. With “Milk”, however, he took upon his most complex role. It isn’t easy to play a gay politician facing adversity in history but Penn pulled it off successfully. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With mesmerizing expressions, Penn captured the angst, determination and strong spirit of a gay politician that forever changed America. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most beloved actors working in the film industry today.
Josh Brolin is brilliant as a politician that seeks to retaliate against gay activists by causing a dilemma. Brolin is one of those actors that has always had an aptitude for playing honourable heroes in his career. With “Milk”, however, the actor showcased a villainous side to himself that audiences had n’t seen before. It’s a tricky role that required the actor to play a complex political leader but Brolin succeeds immensely. Whether he’s arguing with Milk over his views on LGBTQ rights or delivering a speech on the news, Brolin utilizes his commanding voice to create a politician that’s compelling. It’s a bold performance from one of the greatest actors working today.
Finally, “Milk” will earn the appreciations of everyone for capturing the hardships which gay politicians are facing. Unlike most films about gay lovers, the film tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. The movie tackles strong themes such as angst, identity and sexual identity which resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be very familiar with American history to appreciate it. Therefore, “Milk” is one of those rare biopics everyone would adore.
Fans of Josh Brolin will definitely appreciate “Milk” and so will movie-goers which seek exhilarating entertainment. A spellbinding biopic, it celebrates a commemorated actor which has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 60 years after Harvey Milk became a renowned gay politician that forever changed the way in which homosexuals were seen whose activism came with a painful price to pay, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a massive fan following through his abilities to portray compelling characters with larger-than-life personalities in memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating today.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 