Harvey Milk...screen bio powerful but flawed!

At the height of the Proposition 8 protests, the producers of "Milk" - the screen bio on gay activist Harvey Milk - released their much-anticipated film in local Theatres.

Needless to say - the issue of "gay rights" - ended up front row center all over the landscape in the past few weeks.

Although "Milk" is a captivating tale that sweeps the audience up into its open arms, respected Gus Vant Sant's attempt to score a commercial Hollywood-style hit ended up splintering the gem.

In the opening scenes, the lens focuses on a Harvey Milk that seems so foreign to us.

Milk is not only slaving away in a mundane job he detests in New York City, but still in the closet sexually, and living a sort-of double life.

In the subway one night - a handsome young man catches his approving eye (played by actor James Franco), and before you can say promiscuous pre-A.I.D.S. days - the strange bedfellows end up in the sack and musing about the future.

Shortly thereafter, the twosome head off to San Francisco to seek a better lifestyle as live-in lovers.

When Milk and his boyfriend set up shop in the Castro area, they suddenly encounter a prejudice against "gays" all around them.

So, out of necessity, Mr. Milk is forced to take action to not only assert his own rights, but those of others around him.

When people think of Milk, they undoubtedly recall that the charming persuasive activist was the first openly gay man to land a post in the public political arena.

However, many are probably unaware of the fact that when Milk first made a couple of bids to run for office, he lost.

In fact - it was not until there was a rezoning of San Francisco neighborhoods (with the specific intent of ensuring diverse communities would have the opportunity to elect one of their "own" to represent their interests in the city politics) that Milk finally won.

Gus Van Sant takes an insightful in-depth foray into that political adventure with great success.

Disturbing footage of Anita Bryant - culled from old news reports and TV Talk show - also dredges up disturbing memories of yesteryear as the drama unfolds on the screen.

The lament of the day from religious fundamentalists?

"Homos are sick and they need to be cured."

"Give them their rights" - and next - "rapists, prostitutes and murderers" will be demanding theirs, too.

Shortly after Milk is elected to the Board of Supervisor, he ends up locking horns with another Supervisor on the Board - Dan White (played with great sensitivity by Josh Brolin) - who is obviously homophobic.

In fact, Milk's win at the polls grates on White's nerves because the gay lifestyle goes against his family values.

During a struggle for power and dominance - a conflict arises - and White ends up murdering Milk and Mayor Moscone.

When films are made about gays, the characterizations are stereotypical; as a result, the performances on screen often end up being quite stilted.

Here, the acting is natural and believable.

In fact, Emile Hirsch and James Franco turn in the most remarkable characterizations of their careers to date.

On the other hand, I found that Sean Penn's acting was a little forced in a couple of scenes.

In one prominent conversation with another character during the course of the film, Penn appeared to be "acting" gay.

Maybe it was just a misguided attempt to capture a Milk mannerism that fell flat.

But, for those of you who have seen photographs of Milk - or news footage of the man - it's obvious that when it comes to physicality, Sean and Harvey were cast from different moulds.

Yet, Penn manages to overcome that obstacle (and for the most part) turns in a stellar performance.

Gus Van Sant's approach was pretty much on the money, too.

Some may criticize the director's bold-faced recreation of a handful of events (and the subsequent "imagined" dialogue to breathe life into those scenes) that there were no eyewitnesses to.

For this reason, Van Sant wisely chose to incorporate shots of Milk recording a "journal" of his thoughts, if only to suggest the screenplay was loosely-based on some of that historic material.

However, I found the ending quite objectionable.

Just prior to the closing scenes - before the murder takes place - Van Sant shot a scene of "Milk" in conversation with his ex-lover on the telephone in which he chats about attending the Opera that night.

A few minutes later - when Dan White storms into Milk's office and shoots him down in cold blood - Van Sant proceeds to take wild artistic license.

For example, Van Sant's lens captures Milk falling forward towards an open window after he's been hit - at which point - a shot of a poster advertising the tragic Opera fills the screen for a split second or two.

Then, there is a close-up on Milk.

Now, it appears from the expression on Penn's face, that last thoughts are flashing through Milk's mind (what was/what could have been) before the supervisor finally succumbs to the wounds and drops to the floor.

Here, Mr. Van Sant has chosen to heighten the drama of the murder - interject some editorial comment of his own - and in the process has managed to deliver up a Hollywood-style ending to please the studios.

Shameful!

The Milk story has stood on its own as a great American tragedy for decades.

No sly maneuvering or fake props were ever needed to "milk" it along.

In my mind's eye, Van Sant's "poetic license" amounted to overkill.

"Overkill means pouring another pail of gasoline on a baby that's already burning nicely."

(unknown author)

Franco the ideal lover?

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Harvey Milk Day...Nov. 26th! Win prizes at the Milk shop...

Starting bright and early at 8:00 a.m. on November 26th, the Milk Shop will celebrate Harvey Milk Day.

There will be an enter-to-win box for MILK prize packs, a chance to win passes for the "run" of the film engagement locally, and special Harvey Milk Apple Pie Shakes for sale.


Take in a milk "ticket stub" and you'll receive a free scoop of ice cream.

Promotion: November 26th thru November 30th.

The Milk Shop
7290 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
90036
323.939.MILK (6455)

Post: Harvey Milk (Gus Van Sant screen bio) 01/22/08

Info: The Milk Shop

Owner Bret Thompson was born and raised in Los Angeles and is a gifted chef with natural culinary talents.

Recognizing his passion for food at 15, after graduation, he enrolled in the culinary program at the California Culinary Academy in the San Francisco Bay area, while working for Aqua Restaurant.

Thompson was employed with the Patina Group for ten years - during which time - he opened and managed many Patina Group Restaurants.

Thompson was named Orange County Chef of the Year in 2002 at Catal Restaurant in Downtown Disney (Anaheim).

On the heels of this accomplishment, Thompson jetted off to Europe to train under Michelin starred chefs such as Martin Beresetegui of his eponymous restaurant in Lasarte (Spain) , Alain Passard of L'Arpege in Paris (France) and Bernard Loiseau in Saulieu, (France) .

Bret left the Patina group to pursue his dream of opening his own business.

At the - MILK Café Ice Cream Parlor and Bakeshop - the exacting Thompson has displayed a keen eye towards quality of food product, uncompromised service, and a well-trained high-energy staff.

Since the opening of MILK in February 2007 - Thompson has won the hearts of Angelinos and critics alike with his innovative approach to homemade cooking - including simple seasonal cuisine, ice creams and baked goods.

MILK’s accolades include 4 Medals for ice cream at the (2008) Summer Los Angeles International Dairy Competition (2008), praises from the LA Times, Business Week, Town and Country, and recipes featured prominently in Bon Appetite magazine.

Most recently Thompson and MILK collaborated with the GOT MILK? team and provided recipes for the GOT MILK? 2008 summer and 2008 holiday marketing campaign.

Harvey Milk...Film biography shooting in San Francisco. A call for 70's-style extras!

At first, when I spied the scaffolding strategically-placed around the Castro Theatre, I thought the "old lady" - the architectural beauty from the Art Deco era - was getting a face lift.
Workers on the job informed me that renovations were underway to accommodate a film production company who booked the premises for a location shoot.

According to sources, Director Gus Van Sant was in town to commence shooting on the screen biography of the tragic life of Harvey Milk, who was murdered by co-worker, Dan White.

Sean Penn will play Milk.

Other cast members include Josh Brolin who was spotted in the streets of San Francisco sporting a period three-piece suit and a signature page-boy haircut reminiscent of White's.

As the crew attempted to turn back the clock in various locales about the city, producers were putting out a call for locals to sign up to play "extras" for a key scene that will reenact a real-life protest rally which broke out in the turbulent streets of San Francisco in the wake of Milk's untimely death.

Harvey Milk was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 1977 and was the first openly-gay elected official of any large city in the United States.

On a National level, Milk was one of three officials in public office, who chose to be "out" to their constituents.

Kathy Kozachenko and Elaine Noble were the other two.

Milk represented District 5 of San Francisco (which included Castro's predominantly gay neighborhood) until his term was cut short at the murderous hands of Dan White on November 27 (1978) at City Hall.

Prior to that fateful day, Dan White resigned from the Board of Supervisors over a gay rights bill he opposed.

Because Moscone was vested with the power to choose Dan White's successor, it became evident to his opponents, that Moscone would be able to tip the Board's balance of power in his favor on political and social issues if he was so inclined.

In view of this, a handful of politicians supporting the city's conservative agenda (Senator Dianne Feinstein included) talked White into changing his mind.

Subsequently, White did an about-face and asked Moscone to re-appoint him to his former seat.

Allegedly, Moscone indicated a willingness to do so; but later - along with a handful of liberal city leaders - ended up lobbying against the idea.

Ultimately, Harvey Milk decided not to re-appoint White.

Angered by the decision, the former City Supervisor crawled through a basement window of the building to avoid metal detectors on that fateful day in November, and proceeded to carry out his pre-meditated plans to murder Milk.

White intended to meet with Moscone to make a final desperate plea for a re-appointment. But, when Moscone refused to carry out his wishes, irate White shot Moscone to death in cold blood, instead.


Then, he marched into Milk's office and killed him point-blank, as well.

Milk appeared to have a premonition about his death.



In fact, it has been reported that the thought of an assassination attempt continually haunted the politician during his years in public life.

In a political will (marked "read in the event of my assassination") he wrote:

"If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door."

White was convicted of two counts of voluntary manslaughter and sent to prison for seven years and eight months.

On the heels of the sentencing, word about the travesty of justice ran through the gay community, prompting many groups to start walking to the Civic Center.

By 8:00 p.m. that evening, a sizable crowd had gathered.

According to the documentary - "The Times of Harvey Milk" - the enraged crowd screamed at police officers and called for revenge - and ultimately - Milk's death.

Then, angry mobs proceeded to torch police vehicles, disrupt traffic, and vandalize public property.

The overhead wires of busses were also ripped down.

When physical violence broke out against the out-numbered police officers, many of the distraught rioters were arrested.

The Chief of Police, Charles Gain, was blamed for being too weak in his response, and holding back his officers at a time when many felt they should have been defending lives and property.

In defense, Gain pointed out that at least no one was dead, and that only a few suffered minor injuries.

In fact, one-hundred-and-sixty people were hospitalized.

White's remarkably light sentence was granted in response to what is now referred to as the "twinkie defense".

At the trial, White's attorney argued that the defendant could not be held accountable for his actions due to the fact he had eaten excessive amounts of junk food on the day of the crimes which had adversely affected his mental and emotional stability and reasoning faculties.

White was paroled after six years in prison and committed suicide shortly thereafter.

Understandably, Milk's untimely death impacted a multitude of individuals, right from the get-go.

In the year following his death, 100,000 people marched on the Nation's capitol in support of Gay civil rights, wildly chanting "Harvey Milk Lives".

In essence, they were carrying the torch for a man they had come to deeply respect and love.

After all, his accomplishments were many.

For instance, in his eleven months as a Supervisor, he sponsored a gay rights bill for the City of San Francisco.

Milk also instituted the infamous pooper-scooper ordinance which required animal owners to "pick up" after their pets.

The visionary politician was also instrumental in defeating Proposition 6 - known as "The Briggs Initiative" - which would have allowed openly gay men and lesbian teachers to be fired based on their sexuality.

With Gus Van Sant's deft directing hands at the wheel, I expect no stone will be left unturned in this much-anticipated screen bio.

The award-winning auteur will undoubtedly turn out a gripping account of the shocking events in a manner that is sure to touche the hearts and minds of filmgoers.

Can't wait to screen it, can you?