FilmJudge - Milk

REVIEW

Milk
2009
Certificate: 15 | Runtime: 128 | Director: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, James Franco

In 1978, Harvey Milk (Penn) became the first openly homosexual person to be elected to public office in California. His election as a San Francisco City Supervisor was a landmark political event, and in doing so Milk achieved a personal ambition as well. However, Milk's election attracted controversy and opposition; sometimes from inside City Hall itself, in the form of rival Supervisor Dan White (Brolin). As the two men attempted to work together, despite their differences, the personal and professional tension between them would have tragic consequences.

This review will contain one or two significant spoilers, so if you don't know much about White's life already I suggest you stop reading now. And there is method behind this spoiling madness; it allows me to better explain what the film's greatest strengths and weaknesses are. To start with the former, the film has Penn in what is probably his best performance for over a decade. To many of his performances in recent years have been exercises in what you might call 'extroverted acting'; where characters get lost under a cascade of ham and big emotions. His performance here isn't just wonderfully subtle, restrained and thoughtful; it's probably the best bit of characterisation Penn has done since Dead Man Walking. The audience believes they are watching Harvey Milk, not an actor playing him.

However, despite Penn's brilliant - and now Oscar-winning turn - the film is not about Harvey Milk the person; it's about Harvey Milk the icon, and this makes for a less interesting film than it should have been. In terms of the mannerisms, tone of voice, and even the body language, Penn vanishes into the role. But beyond those generally physical attributes, Harvey's heart and soul remain hidden to us. His motivation for seeking office is vague, and from an intimate and emotional viewpoint the film fails to explain Harvey to us despite delving into a number of his relationships. A love life can be a useful tool in getting to the bottom of characters, but it doesn't work here. This is because pretty much all the supporting characters feel insubstantial, and the supporting performances are generally of a lesser quality. James Franco is the exception, putting in some good work as Scott Smith. However, Diego Luna is staggeringly annoying as Harvey's lover Jack Lira - and not remotely interesting - and Emile Hirsch is too fruity and blatant as Cleve Jones. He just camps it up, and little else.

And what's really interesting about all this is that Dan White is arguably the best developed character in the entire piece. We see what makes him tick, and watch him struggle with his strong feelings about homosexuality and working with Milk. Brolin's performance is intense and compelling, and he and Penn really do spark off each other well. When White eventually murders Milk have a far better understanding of his motivation than simply 'gay hate'. There's even a bit of sympathy for him, which is remarkable in the circumstances.

A couple of the cosmetic elements are worthy of a mention; Danny Elfman's refreshing and intelligent score, and the noticeably accurate costumes. And this is Gus van Sant with his Good Will Hunting hat on, so his direction remains professionally matter-of-fact. However, despite these plusses - and of course the input of Penn himself - Milk is disappointing. By never getting into Harvey's heart or head it's difficult to see the person on screen as more than a symbol, figurehead or icon. For a couple of really good performances, see Milk; to really understand the man, with all his strengths, flaws, darker elements and passions, see the Oscar-winning documentary The Times of Harvey Milk from 1985.

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