gavin6942
A documentary of the successful career and assassination of San Francisco's first elected gay councilor.This may be one of the best documentaries I have ever seen. I watched "Milk" years ago, and wish I had watched this documentary first. That Sean Penn movie is good, but never really seems to capture the historical importance of the whole thing.Here, we see why Harvey was important, and we really get to know Dan White, who is the key figure in the whole thing. He was petty, vicious, and took his anger out on people in childish ways. And, of course, when that failed, he just liked to shoot people in the head multiple times.
Sergeant_Tibbs
As a fan of Gus Van Sant's 2008 film Milk, I'm pretty aware of Harvey Milk's life and influence. I wasn't aware that Milk is pretty much a film adaptation of The Times of Harvey Milk. With a blend of archive footage and interviews, this documentary works at lightning speed pace within the 84 minutes for direct information and maximum emotional impact. It's got highly involving moments, truly allowing the importance of the events and the man to shine through, even if you don't live in California or aren't homosexual. Whilst it's often tearjerky, including scenes of the interviewees weeping, it's never overtly sentimental and always remains engaging. Although it's often abrupt at times, Harvey's death and reaction coming in around the hour mark, it's fascinating to explore the aftermath, especially with Dan White's infamous "twinkie defense." It gave me a new perspective on Harvey Milk as well, particularly in how he was a man who wasn't taken very seriously finally being taken seriously - an aspect of which Sean Penn's immediately celebrated Harvey Milk didn't live up to. Only with tragedy does the party and potential truly mean something. Terrific documentary filmmaking.9/10
lastliberal
Winning an Oscar for Best Documentary and several other awards, this film was certainly one of the very best that I have seen. It was stirring and eloquent and beautiful in showing the rise of someone, Harvey Milk, that really wanted to make a difference in the lives of all people.It was, at the same time, a portrayal of the hate that still exists in California after the passage of Proposition 8. The trial of Dan White had a result that was no different that those of Klan members on trial for killing African-Americans in the South.The election of Harvey Milk was an event that is equal to the election of Barack Obama, and for the same reason. He gave hope to all the "us's" who were without hope that they would ever be treated fairly by the dominant power structure.This film tells a story that will inspire and infuriate anyone who sees it. Absolutely brilliant.
rachelchao0812
Where was justice? That's all I could think of. After having killed two people, White was only sentenced to 8 years, but only served a little more than 5 years before he got released. Had it been any other men, the punishment most likely would have been much harsher. Nevertheless, it is evident that White was overwhelmed with remorse as he committed suicide a year and a half after his release from prison.On the other hand, I found this quite ironic. Having to have fought so hard for the rights of the homosexual, the amending of the California Constitution due to Proposition 8, literally erased all the battles the gay community had fought in history. The proposition doesn't affect domestic partnership, but it does declare that homosexuals do not deserve the rights that heterosexuals have.If you are a gay right activist, STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
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