Milk

After watching the film Milk this week, I was not only inspired to use it as my material for our first performance review. I also wanted to share my thoughts here, as my opinions can be shared more thoroughly. 

Directed by Gus Van Sant, (Good Will Hunting) Milk tells the true story of Harvey Milk, (Sean Penn) who was the first openly gay man to join the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1978. After losing two previous elections, he was determined to create a change that would eventually unite freedom to millions of homosexual Americans. 

It is no wonder why Sean Penn picked up an award for "Best Actor" at the Screen Actors Guild a couple weeks ago. Not to mention the film is up for 9 nominations at this years Oscars. Not only did Penn undergo several physical changes to play the part of Harvey Milk, but he completely lost himself in the disguise of Milk. He had a perfect Long Island accent, soft giggle, and humble demeanor that radiated throughout the film.

After last years Proposition 8 banning gay marriage in California, our country experienced a great deal of uproar with a variety of beliefs. In this film, depicted in the late 70's, Harvey Milk was protesting against a very similar issue. It's saddening to think that over thirty years has passed and not much has changed. 

With his ability to discover his political voice and commanding that it be heard, Milk was able to create a change and liberate so many people at a time where something of that nature seemed impossible. Penn's character was so genuine it was obvious that he held Human Rights issues near and dear.

Ultimately, this is a film that I think everyone should see regardless of their beliefs. It's not just a movie about a man named Harvey Milk, it's a movie about an entire movement. And it is films like these that give me hope that someday all men will truly be created equal.

Here is the trailor below:

Milk Trailer 2008