Milk (Gus Van Sant, 2008) marks its fifteenth anniversary in 2023. A biopic that chronicles the journey of Harvey Milk, a visionary American gay politician, during the 1970s. His story remains relevant for several reasons.
First and foremost, the film is set in the Castro District of San Francisco during the 1970s. This location holds significant importance for the gay community, as San Francisco is renowned as a 'gay mecca' due to its liberal attitude towards sex and homosexuality. The Castro District, which initially emerged as a white working-class area known as 'Eureka Valley' in the 1960s, underwent transformations. Post-World War II, numerous American cities, including San Francisco, experienced an influx of ethnic minorities, and many war veterans established gay relationships. In the subsequent decade, the 1950s, the emergence of Beat Culture led to a notable rebellion against middle-class values in the district, aligning itself with homosexuality and aiding in bringing gay culture into the mainstream spotlight.
Milk's political career gained momentum a year after the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York, which stands as a pivotal moment in gay history, marking the commencement of the LGBTQ+ community's fight for rights in the United States. This occurred a decade before the onset of the AIDS pandemic.
Secondly, the film showcases a strong connection between the character and the actor portraying him. Harvey Milk is brought to life by Sean Penn, a renowned figure recognized for his versatility as an actor and his engagement as a socio-political activist. As mentioned earlier, Milk was a trailblazing politician, notably the first openly gay one. Both Milk and Penn harnessed their influence and significance to act as spokespeople for the LGBTQ+ community. This community has historically existed on the fringes of society, grappling with the pervasive and repugnant homophobia that the film accurately depicts.
Thirdly, Milk paints a vivid portrait of its era. As previously noted, the film captures the prevailing homophobia, manifesting in various forms—subtle undertones of violence and brutality intertwined with visceral disgust. Throughout the narrative, numerous characters perceive homosexuality as if it were a contagious ailment, while others mistakenly view it as something that could be 'cured.' Tragically, a few persist in perpetuating myths that unjustly link being gay to negatives such as paedophilia and criminality. The film even incorporates archival footage depicting the gay culture of the early 1960s, effectively setting the historical context.
On the flip side, the film unfortunately perpetuates two detrimental and adverse stereotypes: the portrayal of butch women and the depiction of homophobic as hidden gays. It's essential to recognize that lesbians do not adhere to a particular appearance, contrary to the widespread misconception that associates a specific look with their sexuality, particularly the notion of embodying masculinity on a female body. Similarly, the film's portrayal of homophobic individuals who are themselves gay oversimplifies the intricate nature of homophobia, even as it carries the stigma it seeks to address. These instances serve as poignant reminders of the imperative to steer clear of assumptions, as they can perpetuate harmful misconceptions.
The biopic remains faithful to the core narrative. Nevertheless, there are certain aspects worth discussing. The insinuation of Dan White's (Josh Brolin) sexuality, the omission of significant historical events like the Jonestown massacre, and inaccuracies in settings are notable points. However, it's important to note that these critiques do not detract from the film's overall impact. After all, a few elements are essential for crafting a compelling and engaging narrative.
After fifteen years, the film continues to hold its relevance. In the present day, debates surrounding LGBT+ rights and issues remain prevalent on a global scale, and the awarded film popularized even more in a time period they were transparent. Harvey Milk's legacy stands as a potent force, exerting an undeniable influence on political consciousness concerning the worldwide LGBT+ community. He symbolized the community during its more challenging times, occupying a significant position within society rather than the periphery. Notably, the film also introduces gay characters in roles vital to society, like the American AIDS and LGBT+ activist Cleve Jones (Emile Hirsch) and the politician honoured. Milk's narrative exemplifies yet another instance where intolerance attempts to silence an individual's voice. This scenario embraces an intersectional perspective, as he extended his support to and received support from senior citizens, people with disabilities, women, and ethnic minorities.
Tragically, the film's sombre ending remains relatable, as homophobia continues to manifest as a hate crime with lethal consequences. Despite a few claims suggesting the murder portrayed in the film was rooted in political differences, the overarching truth remains homophobia perpetuates hate crimes that claim lives.
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