Harvey Milk

Weak. How can I relate to the characters of a serious drama when they are all caricatures of themselves? This is not about overacting (that could be in one or two cases, but not all of them!), those characters are simply awfully written. The impression the whole thing gives is: “we have a controversial topic, let’s make good use of it!” On the other hand, the archive footage they use deserves praise, it really helps build the atmosphere of the period. I didn’t find the ending that intense, but that could be because I’m freshly spoiled by Gran Torino and Revolutionary Road. The result: three stars (there are a couple of very good moments), but the Oscar should go elsewhere. (29/12/2008)

If there are still those among us who refuse to accept that homosexuals are a part of our society, they will probably avoid this great film. Yes, it is indeed a good movie, primarily because it was directed by someone who has clearly resolved the issue for himself and also features actors capable of convincingly portraying anything. Sean Penn finally demonstrates how great an actor he is. His performance as Harvey Milk is truly a showcase that earned him the highest accolades, at least in the world of American cinema. The Oscar definitely carries weight, and with a role like this, the actor makes a very loud case for it. Gus Van Sant chose an interesting, controversial, and emotional subject for his film. Harvey Milk was a man of the people, somewhat of a hippie, who also loved men. Society viewed him strangely, but he managed to rise to the position of a representative in San Francisco. He was the first openly gay man to speak about his orientation without hesitation. Yet, people elected him. It was an utterly unexpected victory for someone who, at least according to the portrayal in the film, did not play any games. He simply wanted to advocate for the rights of those who were oppressed. Ultimately, he paid for it. Who killed him? Of course, it had to be some honorable citizen—an aggrieved councilman who couldn't bear the fact that someone had gotten so far that he actually overshadowed him. When your life is falling apart, blame everyone else; they are the cause, no one else. Milk is essentially the story of an ordinary man who found himself among people capable of anything, and in the end, he paid for it. (03/03/2013)

The way the story is told, the script, and in fact the whole theme of this film is predictable, but it's elevated to four stars by Penn and the super-slick Brolin (was it just me?). (20/09/2009)

A subtle film at the beginning, but by the end a breathtaking biopic that certainly didn't leave me cold. The global social issues around homosexuality were, are and will always be relevant and many more authors will surely draw from this issue just as successfully. For now, it's a biographical look at a man who tried to make the world a little better and more bearable, and paid the ultimate price to realize that dream. Mention must be made of the terrific performances by Sean Penn (a well-deserved Oscar!) and Emil Hirsch, as well as others. The overall impression was spoiled at times by Diego Luna. In the first two thirds of the footage I was sure of a 4* rating, but since the last (and for me always the most important) part blew me away, I'll add it. Last but not least, I appreciate the camera work and editing (the period footage). (22/01/2011)

A directorially-undiscoverable biography that is dragged through an hour of hopeful rhetoric and another hour of political scheming by excellent actors alone. Sometimes I feel sorry for homosexuals when films about them have to be either desperate comedies or arthouse martyrdom tear-jerkers. (04/02/2009)