I have been waiting for this movie for a long time. I am very familiar with Harvey Milk’s life and work. When rumors of this movie surfaced, I was both excited and anxious. I was afraid that in the hollywoodization of this film his life would be misrepresented and the issues not given the right treatment. I have to say that the movie does as much justice as can, considering the fact that it has to squeeze in a person’s life in approximately two hours.
Sean Penn has always been an actor to reckon with and James Franco is just pure eye-candy. The movie goes back in time to depict the early days of the gay civil rights movement post-Stonewall and pre-HIV/AIDS. In a time that was drenched in ignorance and intolerance towards any sexual minority. San Francisco was center stage for the liberal front, where hippies, gays and other social outcasts gathered to fit in. In the process they managed to elect the first openly gay governmental figure in US history (if you don’t count Abraham Lincoln).
The movie is very well put together that at times it feels like a documentary on a people and their struggle. The casting was spot-on and the historical context unscathed. Along with the heavy political facet of the movie, an underlying love story exists.
Other than that, the movie couldn’t have come in a better time for the civil rights movement. While the US is amidst the battle on hate with Prop 8 and right before the inauguration of Obama, a promising president who wavers on LGBT issues. I recommend this movie to everyone.
I have been waiting for this like forever.
Can’t wait to see it.