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Milk: After 30 Years, a Film Returns to a Harrowing Time in San Francisco
belbbmfan:
--- Quote from: Meryl on November 27, 2008, 01:30:37 am ---Thanks for your insights, Paul. You seem to have liked it less than I did, but then I've never seen the documentary. The movie probably suffers from the comparison.
I am glad that Van Sant didn't direct "Brokeback." It would have been a very different film. It's incredible how just the right people were drawn together to make that film what it was, not the least of whom was Gustavo Santaolalla. That music was so spare and intelligent and atmospheric; it really reflected Proulx's prose beautifully. I agree that Elfman's score didn't fit "Milk" very well. It kept jumping out at me instead of drawing me in even deeper.
The opera bits were also curious. Clearly, "Tosca" must have been Harvey Milk's favorite opera. Years ago I worked on the operatic version of Harvey's story, and I seem to remember some "Tosca" references in that, too. The scene where Harvey is watching the death of Cavaradossi was meant, I guess, to foreshadow his own death. Spoletta, who comes in at the climax, looked an awful lot like Dan White, which had to have been on purpose. But I don't know why Van Sant had him looking at the marquee of the opera house with "Tosca" advertised on it as he was dying. It just doesn't seem that important to bring up at that moment.
--- End quote ---
I couldn't agree more Meryl. Brokeback Mountain to me is that one movie where all the right things/people came together: the right director, the right actors, the right music, scenery, story etc.
Like this movie was 'blessed'. :)
retropian:
I saw the film tonight, the late night showing. I was glad to see a mixed crowd of gay and straight people, but the theater wasn't full as when BBM was showing. I think the positive reviews are deserved. It's a very good movie, but not a great one. Not as great as BBM. It's an important film that covers a time in the history of gay rights that is astonishingly relevant today. I think overall it's effective and affecting. It tells Harvey's story in a straight forward unaffected manner, which allows the viewer access into the story of Harvey's life and personality without being distracted by any superfluous directorial attempts a "artiness". So props to G.V.S for that. Of course, because of the theme of the movie I couldn't help compare it to BBM. I view it as a complement to BBM. It's the flip side, the political movement that Jack and Ennis were unaware of or chose to ignore. Milk is prose and BBM is poetry.
(EDIT)
I forgot to say anything about the acting performances. All just spot on and committed. Sean Penn was perfect as Harvey. James Franco was the heart of love as Scotty. James Brolin brought a complex humanity to Dan White when he could have been portrayed as a cartoon cutout. I can see several potential and deserved Oscar noms.
southendmd:
--- Quote from: Meryl on November 27, 2008, 01:30:37 am ---Thanks for your insights, Paul. You seem to have liked it less than I did, but then I've never seen the documentary. The movie probably suffers from the comparison.
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I think that's true, Meryl. I couldn't help but compare the two. If you don't know much about Milk's story going into it, it's probably a more enjoyable film, for sure.
--- Quote ---The opera bits were also curious. Clearly, "Tosca" must have been Harvey Milk's favorite opera. Years ago I worked on the operatic version of Harvey's story, and I seem to remember some "Tosca" references in that, too. The scene where Harvey is watching the death of Cavaradossi was meant, I guess, to foreshadow his own death. Spoletta, who comes in at the climax, looked an awful lot like Dan White, which had to have been on purpose. But I don't know why Van Sant had him looking at the marquee of the opera house with "Tosca" advertised on it as he was dying. It just doesn't seem that important to bring up at that moment.
--- End quote ---
I had noticed Milk listening to opera in his apartment, and in the store, and heard "Tosca" and thought, "Oh, no, they're not." But they did. I'd call that an attempt at "artiness". 8)
--- Quote from: retropian on November 27, 2008, 05:29:19 am ---Milk is prose and BBM is poetry.
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Right on, retropian!
Penthesilea:
Just FYI: Harvey Milk is today's features article on the main page of wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
southendmd:
Rest in Peace,
Harvey Milk
May 22, 1930 – November 27, 1978
"You gotta give 'em hope!"
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