Remembering Harvey...
It was the event that I almost missed.
When I heard that Gus Van Sant would be directing a bio-pic of the late gay rights leader Harvey Milk, I was happy to hear it. If anyone could bring the dramatic and ultimately tragic story of his life to the screen, Gus could do it.
For me, Harvey is a true American hero....a tireless, frank and committed soul who stood up and helped lead the movement for human/civil rights - not just for GLTB folks, but for his entire community. Despite his own insecurities, he answered the call.
Flash forward to last week.....and the Portland benefit premeire of "Milk" at the Schnitz.
I had known about it for a month....asked a couple friends about going....but at the time, I was still jobless and the money needed to go elsewhere. I held back and decided to wait for the release.
As soon as I started back at Regence, the nagging in my head began. I was going to regret missing this one....and besides....it WAS a benefit for Outside/In - an advocacy group for street kids. Before long, I was standing in line at the PCPA...picking up the tickets for Paul, Michael and myself - and getting excited again.
I was not dissappointed.
Van Sant's "Milk" is great marriage of art and history. Instead of a dry portrait of an assasinated leader, we get a beautifully rendered flavor of the times, and an intimate vision of a man finding his place within a community and history. Casting is brilliant. Penn inhabits Harvey Milk in a way that few actors I believe would be capable. His physicality and energy is very believable - and it's easy to forget what actor you're watching. After a while...it's just Harvey. I could go on about the supporting cast...all very solid in their own way. James Franco (Scotty) stands out as well....showing his range and willingness to expand as an actor.
Kudos all the way around...I see this film getting several nods at Oscar time.
Additionally...Rob Epstein's Oscar-winning 1984 documentary "The Times of Harvey Milk" is a definite must for anyone who enjoyed this film. I watched it right after "Milk" - and am still impressed with how affecting it is.
When I heard that Gus Van Sant would be directing a bio-pic of the late gay rights leader Harvey Milk, I was happy to hear it. If anyone could bring the dramatic and ultimately tragic story of his life to the screen, Gus could do it.
For me, Harvey is a true American hero....a tireless, frank and committed soul who stood up and helped lead the movement for human/civil rights - not just for GLTB folks, but for his entire community. Despite his own insecurities, he answered the call.
Flash forward to last week.....and the Portland benefit premeire of "Milk" at the Schnitz.
I had known about it for a month....asked a couple friends about going....but at the time, I was still jobless and the money needed to go elsewhere. I held back and decided to wait for the release.
As soon as I started back at Regence, the nagging in my head began. I was going to regret missing this one....and besides....it WAS a benefit for Outside/In - an advocacy group for street kids. Before long, I was standing in line at the PCPA...picking up the tickets for Paul, Michael and myself - and getting excited again.
I was not dissappointed.Van Sant's "Milk" is great marriage of art and history. Instead of a dry portrait of an assasinated leader, we get a beautifully rendered flavor of the times, and an intimate vision of a man finding his place within a community and history. Casting is brilliant. Penn inhabits Harvey Milk in a way that few actors I believe would be capable. His physicality and energy is very believable - and it's easy to forget what actor you're watching. After a while...it's just Harvey. I could go on about the supporting cast...all very solid in their own way. James Franco (Scotty) stands out as well....showing his range and willingness to expand as an actor.
Kudos all the way around...I see this film getting several nods at Oscar time.
Additionally...Rob Epstein's Oscar-winning 1984 documentary "The Times of Harvey Milk" is a definite must for anyone who enjoyed this film. I watched it right after "Milk" - and am still impressed with how affecting it is.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home