A Life-Based Portrayal of the LGBT Struggles: 'Milk' Movie Review

Milk is a film produced in 2008 in America based on a biography. It is based on the life of gay politician and right activist Harvey Milk. He was the first known gay activist to be elected for public office in California as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. The movie is written by Dustin Lance Black and directed by Gus Van Sant. The film is stared by Sean Penn as Harvey Milk and Josh Brolin as Dan White. Dan White then assassinated the Milk and Mayor George Moscone.

Trying to put Milk’s life on a film is made by 1984 documentary of his life and the time following by his assassination, which was called The Times of Harvey Milk that was based on Randy Shilts's biography, The Mayor of Castro Street the movie that won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for 1984 and won the Special Jury Prize on the first Sundance Film Festival as well as other awards. Many parts of the movie is produced in Castro Street and other parts of San Francisco as well as Milk's former store, Castro Camera.

The movie made too many applause and acclaim from critics for Sean Penn’s acting, screenplay and directing. The movie could receive 8 Oscar nominations on the 81st Academy Awards as well as Best Picture and also won 2 best actor awards for Sean Penn and the second Oscar Best Original Screenplay for Dustin Lance Black.

The film starts with police attacking gay bars and arresting fans on 1950s and 60s. Then it shows the Dianne Feinstein's 27th November announcement regarding Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone assassination. Since Milk and his spouse Scott Smith were not satisfied of their relationship acceptance in New York, they decided to go to San Francisco to find higher acceptance of their relationship there.

They open a shop called Castro Camera in Eureka Valley where is a working class neighborhood while it is getting to be a gay neighborhood known as the Castro. Milk tries to use his business background to become a gay activist and he eventually becomes a mentor for Cleve Jones. Soon Smith becomes the manager for Milk’s campaign but he becomes hopeless of Milk's devotion to politics and he leaves him.

Milk tries to become city supervisor in 1973 and 1975 and later in 1976 to become California State Assembly but he can never be successful. In 1977 Milk becomes successful to have a seat in San Francisco Board of Supervisors for district 5. He becomes the first known gay man to get publicly voted in California and third homosexual politician in United States history. Later Milk meets Dan White who was a Vietnam veteran, cop and firefighter before. White is conservative and later get a bad relationship with Milk.

Morning 27th November 1978, White goes to City Hall from a basement window so he can run away from security scanning at the main door having a gun. White request a meeting with Moscone who does not accept White’s request to be appointed to his former seat. White becomes angry and shoots the Moscone in his office and then walks to see Milk and he then kills Milk.

In conclusion, 'Milk' is a powerful and emotional movie that effectively portrays the struggle for LGBT rights in San Francisco during the 1970s. Sean Penn's performance as Harvey Milk is outstanding, and the film is both historically accurate and deeply moving. Through its depiction of Milk's activism and sacrifice, the movie inspires viewers to stand up for justice and equality. The legacy of Harvey Milk lives on, and 'Milk' is a fitting tribute to his life and his contributions to the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.