Way back in the 1970s, homosexuals marched down the streets of conservative San Francisco, and shortly afterwards, created history when their leader, Harvey Milk (Sean Penn), became the first openly gay person to be elected to political office in the US. Milk is a factual account of the defining Gay Liberation Movement.
Milk (Sean Penn) sets up a camera store that soon becomes a famous haven for gays. Later, elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, he voices his opinions, confronts another supervisor, among other opponents, and succeeds in bringing about radical change in society.
Did Milk have a premonition of what was in store for him? The film makes it sound like he did, for he started audio recording his will just over a week before he was assassinated.
The bits and pieces of the reenacted scenes of the audio recording scattered throughout, along with the archival footage of the police raids, and clashes, and street protests, lend an authentic touch. Often, when one scene merges with another, the music and ambience sounds change abruptly without a smooth transition, making it sound like the editor forgot to patch up the rushes. This seemingly-deliberate technique lends a documentary feel.
The actors, Sean Penn in particular, play their respective parts so convincingly that you’d actually think they are gay in real life.
Gus Van Sant’s biographical film, however, lacks the sensitivity of Brokeback Mountain; perhaps, intentionally. Crude words are mouthed. And many in the audience are likely to feel disgust at the excess open display of homosexual lip kissing. But then, this is no-holds barred realistic film that traces the first historical attempt to get things straight out of the closet.
Things have slowly begun to change in this country. The LGBT community has started coming out in the open and taking part in parades. And newspapers and news channels have started debating on this delicate subject.
In around half a decade from now, but not less, conservative India will be forced to watch helplessly as the other sex spills out in millions on the streets. In that sense, India is not yet fully ready for this film, and it is unlikely to be well received at this present time. However, it’s something to watch if you wish to get a glimpse of something you think is alien to you, or a part of you, depending on your sexual orientation.
