milk.
February 6, 2009
Harvey milk was a the first openly gay homosexual (hmm is that a tautology?) elected to public office in the USA. His murder in 1978, while he was in public office, also made him into a martyr for gay activitism.
As such it will be difficult when talking about a movie about his political career to separate out the form from its content, but i will attempt to talk about its merits first on purely
Taken for themselves, the acting is masterly and the writing superb. Drawing us in right from the start into the tangled world of politics and on to its foreshadowed ultimate tragedy. Sean Penn overcomes his own fame to become harvey milk. James franco, slightly less successfully, becomes Scott Smith, while a very large team of supporters and antagonists are introduced one by one as they contribute to the rise of milk’s political career. There is a lot of detail but the tone is never didactic and the story richly rewards close attention. There is also much texture of the 70s woven into the look of the movie. I have to assume opera was a particular love of Harvey Milk but somehow the use of tosca to accompany some of the already emotionally charged scenes seemed to me to teeter dangerously over the top.
Some liberties were taken with regards to historical accuracy – but the movie never pretends to be a documentary and “streamlining” some details does make for a more compelling story. One particular liberty taken is the suggestion that milk’s murderer was a closeted homosexual. Whatever artistic merit this may or may not have, in the context of the movie this is an unavoidably politically charged choice.
Also, this film soars with the liberal use of non verbal cues, coupled with the seamless tight storyline. Making use of various forms of non verbal cues as such paralinguistics and haptics, it draws the story closer to the audience. Also, with the use of subtle music, the producers are able to exactly pin-point the climax of each emotionally charged scenes.
Who should watch it? This movie is not just made to please advocates, nor the Oscars. It is to inispire and to create awareness – not just about gays (in very broadly defined sense), but also on pluralism – reglious, cultural, political and value. These are ongoing everyday in the world, even in Singapore, pluralism is slowly taking it’s form. Hence, I would say so long you’re above 21(sadly) in Singapore, you should go watch the show. View it with a open heart and bring home some food for thoughts – a different democracy exhibited than in Singapore.
Hi Norman, well this is an interesting movie to touch on. Well, I didn’t get to watch it cuz i aint 21 then. however i did read about a bit about harvey milk before doing this comment.
This situation took place in the 70s, where interent wasnt even available. and there were many gays stuck in the closet..sadly from what i und, many of them choose to lead a heterosexual live, unsatisfied and unhappy, just to be a “normal ” person. However, Milk came up and decided to make it known that there’s nothing ashame about it.
Through the campaigns, he uses mass commuication and appeals to the pathos of the people to convince them that gays are no different from normal straight people…and they do need to have someone to love. A lot of non-verbal communication is used by the public on how they show discrimmination on what milk is doing. I believe that this movie was create in conjuection of Prop 8 in US. And it also shows us, the US culture, and how democracy of governance really speak for itself, where freedom of speech is welcomed. Unlike in some countries where theough termed democracy, there are so mnay other guidelines that disallow freedom of speech through the censcoring of all the contents!
In conclusion, i believe that everyone is equal regardless of race, religion and sexual orienation. It’s media and governance that give indirectly leads the viewers to discrimminate. Being exposed to heterosexual media all your life, would naturally lead to discrimminating and uneasiness with homosexual people. Similarly, potraying blacks as the villans in media all the time, would surprise us when a white turns out to be a mass murderer. Do on to others as you have them to do on to you. Love them for who they are, and let them love who they want to love. In honor of Milk.
yes. I agree Sean Penn was in fine form in this movie. However, I can’t seem to look beyond the fact that it a fine imitation of Harvey Milk (if you’ve seen early Milk footages). He got all the mannerisms down pat alright, but I was looking for more.
i am not quite open about homosexuality and i do not think it will be allowed for gays to get married in Singapore whether now or in the future.
However i do respect other people alternative lifestyle but restrict myself from interacting much with them. Some may be bornt like this and its not within their control.
Homosexuality is but just a sexual preference what’s the big idea with regards to all the shockwaves such a topic brings about? Is it that difficult to accept people with a different sexual orientation? I’ve always been sympathetic to the homosexual cause, as I’ve never been able to comprehend the apprehension behind acceptance of homosexuals. What they do behind closed doors might be unacceptable bordering revolting to some, but it’s not as if it’s going to affect you? They are human too you know, aren’t they allowed such a simple right such as marriage? Honestly people can do it just as easily in Holland, or Canada acceptance is gradual but I’m sure it’s most definitely something that’s of utmost importance to the homosexuals.