20: MILK (OSCAR SERIES)

Eye on which Oscar?

Performance by an actor in a leading role - Sean Penn

Performance by an actor in a supporting role - Josh Brolin

Achievement in directing - Gus Van Sant

Best motion picture of the year

Where?

West India Quay, 5.30pm (first time at this cinema, very nice and modern, tiered seating, big screens, big sound, on the DLR).

Comments?

Milk is a tender, faithful and ultimately heartbreaking true story about Harvey Milk, an American politician and gay rights activist who was the first openly gay man to be elected into politics as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. It was a major win for the gay movement and many celebrated the nomination in the Castro District of San Francisco, where Milk established his base.

Milk's life as we join it in the movie, is unfulfilled and dissatisfying, a dead end job and a suppressed personal life. He begins a relationship with Scott Smith and together they head for San Francisco for a better, more open life. They witness oppression and bigotry towards homosexuals, forming the catalyst for Milk's move into politics. His mandate: equal rights for gays. He is unsuccessful during two campaigns, but with Smith and a team of dedicated workers who believe in his cause, he achieves his historical election to the Board of Supervisors.

The movie is upheld by the spirit of Harvey Milk, a heart-warming man who stood up for what he and many others believed in. He became an icon for the gay movement, a spokesperson, and unfortunately, a target. However, his ultimate downfall is not brought on solely by homophobic sources, but from a disturbed fellow Supervisor, Dan White, who lets the pressure of the situation and his own confused state lead him to an unspeakable act.

The acting performances are amazing in this movie, with Sean Penn leading the charge as Harvey Milk. Other notable turns are from James Franco as Scott Smith, Josh Brolin as Dan White and Emile Hirsch as Cleve Jones. Deigo Luna contributes a fine supporting role as Jack Lira, a lost soul who falls for the charismatic Milk but struggles to share him with the man's political passion.

Milk is an entertaining movie that will pull at the heart strings. It depicts an important episode in the gay movement with honesty and heart, a true reflection of the man, Harvey Milk.

Oscar worthy?

Milk has four nominations in the major categories of this year's Oscars, with no other film faring better. It definitely deserves the nominations, an excellent, moving film with fine performances.

Josh Brolin's portrayal of Supervisor Dan White is expertly done. However, he has reasonably little screen time for a supporting role. What he does with it is tremendously good and he is a fine actor, but he is up against Heath Ledger and the two performances are miles apart.

As for the Directing and Best Movie nominations, I'd say it is right up there with the other four in each category. A thoroughly entertaining movie depicting an important movement in political history. Gus Van Sant's direction is flawless, an exceptional effort indeed. It's hard to tell thus far who will win, who is a dark horse and who will miss out on the golden statue in these categories. We may see a split in the categories, where normally, Best Directing follows Best Movie. If I had to make a call, I would say Milk stands a better chance in Best Movie.

As for Sean Penn, his performance mesmerised me; it was outstanding. The character is so believable, it actually feels like you are watching the man's life unfold before you. Big smiles, subtle campness and fine acting add to the transformation. But it is more than just a transformation, it is an expression of Milk's tenacity and big heart, his ruthlessness and caring persona, a statement of what it meant to be gay in San Francisco in the seventies. I haven't seen The Wrestler yet, but my hot tip is that Sean Penn will win the Oscar.

Rating?

8.5 out of 10

Post Movie Quote:

It's bloody cold," in reference to standing outside waiting for the DLR to arrive.