Milk

"Without hope, life is not worth living."

Sean Penn is really some kind of actor. The spectrum of roles he portrays is mesmerizing: Mystic River, I Am Sam, Dead Man Walking, Carlito's Way, The Falcon and the Snowman, and the eponymous Fast Times at Ridgemont High. His newest film, Milk, was the latest on the docket for Gordonian movie adventures. The trailer:



Harvey Milk, closeted businessman in New York, breaks free to San Francisco in 1970 to freely express his gay lifestyle. Upon coming out of the closet, a riveting urge for political activism also awakens. Multiple failed attempts to secure public office ensue, but with each loss a greater following results. The Castro district of San Francisco becomes a hotbed for gay men and the fight for gay rights. Finally, in 1977 he wins public office, then organizes and energizes the gay community to protest and fight for their civil rights. All the while, anti-gay legislation passes in Florida, Minnesota, and Kansas. When Proposition 6 is on the ballot in California, allowing schools to fire gay teachers or even those who support gay people strictly on the basis of their sexuality, Milk truly works within the political arena (and outside in the protest arena) to make sure the proposition fails. Milk's work succeeds, banning work-based discrimination based on sexual orientation. Sadly, within a year of becoming elected and the subsequent Prop 6 victory Milk, and the mayor of San Francisco, are both shot dead.

A back and forth mix of Milk's tape recorded will ("this tape is to be played only upon the event of my death, especially if by assassination"), archival footage, and a stunning performance by Sean Penn make this film a wonder to behold. Best Actor stamped all over it.

Milk is not a gay-only movie. All orientations can take something away from it. The crusade to fight for your civil rights is close to the heart of any type of oppressed minority. And the discovery of some eye-opening knowledge that the ignorant majority may have previously failed to see is something that can stir debate and instigate discussion. California's recent 2008 Proposition 8 legislation banning gay marriage is a modern parallel to the civil right oppression of 1977. What's old is new again.

Fantastic film. A solid Full Price. Mark it down, Best Actor.