The Academy thought so, and to be fair, Penn is the number one reason to see Milk. But it's quite some story, too.
> Milk
Director: Gus Van Sant.
Cast: Sean Penn, Emilie Hirsch, Josh Brolin, James Franco, Diego Luna, Dennis O'Hare, Alison Pill.
Rating: (M)
Four stars
Reviewed by Mark Orton
Contemporary San Francisco may be recognised for its large gay and lesbian population, but in the early 1970s, stepping out of the closet was pretty risky behaviour.
Leaving anonymity on the East Coast to be part of a burgeoning movement in San Francisco, 40-year-old Harvey Milk (Penn) would forever influence homosexual law reform.
Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in the United States, and he crossed swords with those determined to uphold prejudice.
Milk's unlikely working relationship with supervisor Dan White (Josh Brolin), recognising the need to transcend community boundaries, had profound consequences for all concerned.
Milk cleverly harnesses the look and feel of the era, right down to the actual locations.
Brolin's brilliant portrayal of an uptight conservative again demonstrates his breadth of talent. But Penn is a hard act to follow.
Famous for his leftist political views, he summons every ounce of frustration to channel Harvey Milk's extraordinary legacy.
Best thing: Sean Penn's chameleon-like ability to assume the identity of Harvey Milk.
Worst thing: Josh Brolin's haircut. The '70s were so cruel to conservative politicians.
See it with: Anyone wanting to debate the merits of Penn versus Rourke.
