Gay Rights Activist. Friend. Lover. Unifier. Politician. Fighter. Icon. Inspiration. Hero. His life
changed history, and his courage changed lives.
In 1977, Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first
openly gay man to be voted into major public office in America. His victory was not just a victory
for gay rights; he forged coalitions across the political spectrum. From senior citizens to union
workers, Harvey Milk changed the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights
and became, before his untimely death in 1978, a hero for all Americans.
Milk charts the last eight years of Harvey Milk's (Sean Penn) life. While living in New York City, he turns 40.
Looking for more purpose, Milk and his lover Scott Smith (James Franco) relocate to San
Francisco, where they found a small business, Castro Camera, in the heart of a working-class
neighborhood that was soon to become a haven for gay people from around the country. With
his beloved Castro neighborhood and beautiful city empowering him, Milk surprises Scott and
himself by becoming an outspoken agent for change. He seeks equal rights and opportunities for
all, and his great love for the city and its people brings him backing from young and old, straight
and gay alike—at a time when prejudice and violence against gays was openly accepted as the
norm.
With vitalizing support from Scott and new friends and volunteers, Milk plunges headfirst into
the choppy waters of politics. He also mentors young street activists like Cleve Jones (Emile
Hirsch). Bolstering his public profile with humor, Milk's actions speak even louder than his gift-of-
gab words. Soon, he is known all across the city and even beyond, but his persistent
determination to be a part of city government drives him and Scott apart. While making his
fourth run for public office, Milk takes a new lover, Jack Lira (Diego Luna).
The latest campaign is a success, as Milk is elected supervisor for the newly zoned District 5.
Milk serves San Francisco well while lobbying for a citywide ordinance protecting people from
being fired because of their orientation—and rallying support against a proposed statewide
referendum to fire gay schoolteachers and their supporters; he realizes that this fight against
Proposition 6 represents a pivotal precipice for the gay rights movement. At the same time, the
political agendas of Milk and those of another newly elected supervisor, Dan White (Josh
Brolin), increasingly diverge and their personal destinies tragically converge. Milk's platform
was and is one of hope—a hero's legacy that resonates in the here and now.
This movie seems to make Canadians shake their head and wonder why Americans are so backwards.
Penn is great. A courageous movie to make.
So powerful. The characters were well written. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. If you haven't watched it yet, go see it!