Today, we feature:
Milk
Synopsis
His life changed history. His courage changed lives. In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to be voted into 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.
Cast
Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, James Franco
Director
Gus Van Sant
Rotten Tomatoes Score
93%
My Take
A biopic that transcends conventional autobiographic tendencies by Oscar-hungry producers, this film triumphs in a combination of emotional, political and nostalgia. It feels like the 70's, it throbs like the 70's, it is the 70's. Featuring an amazing cast, and a talented director, it does everything far beyond competence. If there is one fault, it is a glaring one, and that everything seems to hinge on the portrayal of the titular character, Milk, by Sean Penn. And I have to say, this is arguably the best performance of his already stellar career. The man immerses himself into the character so completely, from the light steps, a feminine twist of the hips or the the inherently joyful speaking patterns. This is Hollywood badboy, Sean Penn, who has transformed himself to this warm, embodiment of human joy and hope. I can't shake the fact that without Penn, this film would have fallen into complete mediocrity, and I suspect that everything else only looks better than the are because of Penn's performance. But Penn is there, and as a result, we have this great Oscar contender.
8.5/10
Oscar Chances
BEST PICTURE
This is Slumdog's year, though aside from Benjamin Button, Milk was the only movie assured a nomination slot. It, however, doesn't stand a chance in getting top award.
Chance: 0%
BEST DIRECTOR
Gus Van Sant is a commendable, if largely unknown, director, and he did a great movie. Unfortunately, with big names such as David Fincher and the inevitable winner- Danny Boyle- Van San will have to continue his oscar trek long after this month's ceremony.
Chance: 0%
BEST ACTOR
Probably the biggest prize Milk has a serious chance in taking home. As I have yet to watch Wrestler, I cannot say which of the two should win, but I can say that Milk is certainly an early favorite. His biggest competitors would come in the form of Mickey Rourke and Frank Langella
Chance: 40%
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin was good as Dan White, but not great. In fact, this category seems relatively weak this year around, leaving the late Heath Ledger a surefire win for this year.
Chance: 0%
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
With Slumdog, Frost/Nixon, Reader and Benjamin Button all falling under Adapted Screenplay, Milk practically has Original Screenplay all to itself. It's biggest competitors may come in the form of Happy-Go-Lucky or maybe a bit of In Burges. There's even a surprising dark horse in the race in the form of the alway lovable Wall-E, which may come in and still this prize. Otherwise, however, Milk has the biggest hold on this category, what with all its best picture buddies in the other field.
Chance: 70%
BEST EDITING
Milk wasn't too hot on the editing aspect. It did a solid job on it, but there were far more stand-out cutting from other films. Here it has to deal with Slumdog AND BEnjamin Button, both of which had an excellent flow. Then there's The Dark Knight, which seems to have grabbed a nomination for every technical award. Milk may not be so hot against such stiff competition.
Chance: 10%
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Milk actually had pretty great costumes. These, along with the set pieces, all created a very authentic aura of the 70's reovlutionary era. Yet, with competition from Australia and The Duchess, both very period based films high on the fluffy costumes, it seems to have its work cut out for it. Then there's the clear dominating force in this category, Benjamin Button, which was just awe-inspiring in everything it did. There is a chance, though, a very small chance, for Milk.
Chance 15%
BEST SCORE
What score? I'm just kidding, but the score, while solid, was nothing spectacular. I wish The Dark Knight was granted this nomination instead for its eerie metallic music. Milk stands with no chance in this category. The academy would most likely try something new with the Indian tunes of Slumdog. And even if it decides against that, it has the safe fall back of Benjamin Button's haunting music. Both of which infinitely better, like the Dark Knight, than what we have in Milk, whose only stand out tune was a gripping opera-stradden final act.
Chance: 0%
On an unrelated issue, it has just been announced that Christopher Nolan and his brother have been secretly writing the script for Batman 3 for some time now. I can't wait to see what they have in mind. Nolan, you sly dog you, show these oscar ruffians what Best Picture is all about
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