Got Milk?

Back from vacation, and I did get to see a few films while I was away.

Milk
2008 dir. Gus Van Sant. Star. Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, James Franco, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna.

Although it doesn't come out until this Friday here in Ottawa, I saw Milk last weekend in Vancouver with Paul and Heather at the Fifth Avenue and Burrard st. theatre. I had some popcorn and diet coke.

Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man elected to public office in the United States. After a few failed attempts, Milk was elected at a City Supervisor in San Francisco in 1978. His election came as a result of the gay community amssing in district around the intersection of Market and Castro sts. This biopic, Van Sant's first mainstream film in almost a decade, shows Milk's life from his move to SF in 1970 up until his assassination at the hands of a colleague in 1978. Although the film is very straightforward in style, and is absolutely the typical biopic, this is made up for by the great performances, especially from Penn and Brolin, who will more than likely earn Oscar nominations.

If you live in Toronto, Vancouver, New York or similar big city, go check out this film. If not, check it out this weekend when it opens wide. And if you're a homophobe, you probably won't see it, but you should.

And lay off the twinkies.


4 stars out of 5