Movie Review Essay Example

Movie Review Essay Example Movie Review Essay Movie Review Essay Name: Instructor: Course: Date: Although The Advocate became a magazine in 1992, in Harvey Milk’s time during the 1970’s, it was a tabloid newspaper. Even though the film had setting and informational errors, the movie portrayed the characters stupendously. Dan White was the infamous San Francisco Supervisor who assassinated the first openly homosexual official Harvey Milk and the mayor of San Francisco, George Moscone. Josh Brolin, the actor who played White, embodied the character in a way that the audience could understand. During the film, the audience can see that Harvey Milk and George Moscone developed a political relationship. Shortly after Dan White resigned his seat from the Board of Supervisors, Milk convinced Mayor Moscone that he would have a greater chance at being reelected mayor without White on the Board. Mayor George Moscone trusted Milk in this political judgment call. When the climactic scene of the two assassinations comes, the film depicts it accurately. After entering San Francisco’s City Hall from another entrance to elude the metal detectors, White went to Moscone’s office to plead for his reemployment. When Moscone denied him the occupation, White shot and killed him. Later in the same hour, White went to Milk’s office and killed him as well. The film certainly displayed this scene accurately. Actor Sean Penn also delivered an outstanding performance playing the main character Harvey Milk. From the beginning to the end, Penn gave a believable presentation. In the film, Milk starts a camera business which then becomes a salon for homosexuals. While noticing that his surroundings are less than approving of the gay community, Milk decides to be a voice for those who are, metaphorically speaking, trapped behind closet doors. In 1977, Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Being in a place of power, Milk used this opportunity to let it be known throughout America that there is hope for those who are homosexual. He began by supporting a civil rights bill that banned discrimination based on sexual orientation. The bill passed with Dan White being the only one to oppose the bill; Mayer Moscone signed happily. Although there were many other events, campaigns, and trials that Harvey Milk had overcome, the film only highlighted a few of them. Simply compressing Milk’s life and achievements into a two hour long film would only show a few accomplishments respectively. In doing so, the movie did a fantastic job in illustrating Harvey Milk’s last nine years, how he made history, and who he influenced. The film’s viewpoint was spot-on, respectful to history, and controversially honest. Showing true history at a stage of vulnerability helps the audience understand the reality of it. I believe Milk is an excellent film of how history should be taught.