Viewed: MILK

Sean Penn won the Oscar for this role, and like ever, he is rock solid portraying the character of Harvey Milk. It raises the controversial topic of gay rights, through this story of Milk who took on the challenge and brought the issues to the forefront in America.

Gus Vant Sant perhaps comes out with his finest work in depiction of this person and plays with flash-backs, even flash-forward and uses great actors to showcase the eight years of Milk's life.

By also focusing on his love life, Milk is humanised and becomes a very captivating three-dimensional character. On one level he is the do-gooder trying to fight for the rights of Gay thanks also to the effort of his circle of close friends, but...he also pines for love. He has a long loving relationship with Scott and they do make a very loving pair on-screen. However, as Scott leaves him, Milk finds another lover, who is neurotic, and obnoxious, yet...Milk needs him.

Mike makes a capativating couple with his rival Dan White played so effectively by Josh Brolin. Dan White and Milk also seem like made for each other close buddies. They talk to each other, make attempts to support each other causes, Milk even goes to White's son's christening, and yet....they remain at loggerheads. Though Milk's main rivals are others who are publicly anti-gay movement, it's this relationship that brings in the biggest turning point at the climax.

Brolin brings in a performance of confusion, of a man who is in pain, disturbed, unsure and to an extent Penn feels the same against him. Two characters deeply layered iin conflict with each other provide a thrilling viewing and that's what these two do.

This is not a mass-flick. Not only for the theme of pro-gay-activisim but even the scenes of intimacy between men may not go well with many audience. It may be hard to watch, but it's definitely a must-watch for the subject and for the portrayal of this courageous man.


Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black
Director: Gus Van Sant

Rating ****

[Max ****]



{Watched on 23rd Feb, 7.30 pm show at Regency Theaters, Tamarac Square on Hampden. A plex with nice exterior but ordinary interior, (mostly 6 screens); audi was big: 210. Previews, like in The Wrestler were only three; else, they tend to be at least 6-7. Stopped on way to Village Inn, Tower/Hampden & had decent Apple Pie!}