Milk.

No, I am not talking about 2 % or skim or even about its nutritional values. The story of Harvey Milk is one that is heavily unknown to the public and a very powerful one. With the recent portrayal of his life in the film Milk, two Oscars were rewarded from this great battle that Harvey Milk and was as innumerable homosexuals have gone through in their life against what is seen as right in the public eye.

The struggle for homosexuals is strongly shown in this movie as well as the revolution that occurred during the late 1970’s. Harvey Milk ran as California’s first openly gay elected politician and thus led a revolution for gay rights in an active way. This was an extremely important time in history and in terms of equality in this country, which seems ridiculous that it has taken this long for a movie to cover this story in a solid manner. Milk is a hero; he was able to overcome in a proper and sometimes overly kind way. The cast is remarkable as ever, Sean Penn’s constant smile shows the undeniable character of Harvey Milk and how caring he was for those around him and for the cause for equal rights. Penn’s courageous figure is one that goes unnoticed in the light that changed the lives of those all over from the movement of rights that is undeniable.

At first I was expecting James Franco and his character just after watching him in Pineapple Express, but he turned out to give a solid performance as Milk’s significant other in and out of the movie. Lastly, an up and coming actor lately, Josh Brolin, as he was seen in American Gangster as a crooked cop, carries on the evil act. Brolin’s character again carries a figure of good to the public eye which shadows the evil backdrop known as politician Dan White.
Also, it there in points to the fact that how unrespectable the debating other side is, especially for the pressing issue of gay marriage today. It is sad that this is still an issue today and shows the unintelligence of us as a people. No matter of the sexual preference of an individual, equal rights should be given. The authentic feel that the movie has is incredible; there is minimal or no difference between recorded parts from the ‘70s and from the movie that is meshed together.

The format in which in the movie is recited back is an element that is greatly overlooked. The fact that the story is told through a recording of Milk sitting in his house, shows that he would die for the cause and he was looking for his legacy and message to carry on. The message and movement was thus kept moving through into the 1980’s by the cast around Milk and we must continue to fight against those that feel that we are not all equal and in this together.