From the Archives: Milk and Frost/Nixon
August 25th 2010 22:55
I wrote both these mini-reviews the day saw these two films, which was shortly after they were both released. They've been lost in a notebook since then. So, here they are for the first time online. Sadly, the Milk one is dated already given the Prop 8 discussion but I kept it all in as it's interesting to see where we were then and where we're finally at now.
Milk (Van Sant, 2008)
Written December 2008
Milk is a tour de force biopic directed by Gus Van Sant and featuring a knock-out, awe-inspiring performance by Sean Penn, who is by far the great actor of his generation. Penn becomes the gay political figure through and through, and although we all know what is going to happen we secretly wish that history would rewrite itself midway through the film. Harvey Milk was of course assassinated in 1978 by political rival Dan White, played brilliantly by Josh Brolin whom has had an amazing comeback both this year and last. The film traces Milk’s life beginning at age 40 until the fateful day. Upon moving to San Francisco with his lover (another wonderful performance by James Franco) Harvey discovers that perhaps he can make a difference and stand-up to the injustice that homosexuals were facing. He runs for City Supervisor and is aided by a group of friends who mostly just hung around the camera shop he owned.
Emile Hirsch plays a runaway turned intricate campaign aide and, as many have said already, he steals every scene he’s in. Hirsch is one of the most talented young actors working in Hollywood today and one can only hope he goes on to have a career as lucrative as Penn’s. Harvey Milk’s rise to the top against adversity is a story that’s resonant in ant day and age. Watching Milk battle Anita Bryant against Proposition 6 cannot help but conjure up a parallel to the Mormon Church and Proposition 8. The film could not have been released at a more relevant time, whether or not Proposition 8 had passed or failed.
Harvey Milk’s message of hope against all odds, dreaming your dreams and becoming who you want to be and being proud of who and what you are would be sound no matter what this past election had dealt. Harvey Milk was ahead of his time in what he was able to achieve. This flawless film leaves you with a sense of bittersweet hope. While Milk’s Proposition 6 passed, California’s Proposition 8 failed, but only barely. America isn’t yet caught up to Harvey, but we’re getting there. Overall, I think if he were still alive today, he’d be proud by the recent strides that have been made.
Frost/Nixon (2008, Howard)
Written December 2008
Frost/Nixon, based upon a stage play of the same name, and directed by Ron Howard is like a boxing match. Heavyweight Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) and Lightweight David Frost (Michael Sheen) spend the entire film circling one another in the ring, trading a few blows here and there, until finally, in the 11th hour a technical knockout is delivered. We, as the audience, are acutely aware of this. We are watching the build-up and waiting anxiously for the action. And when we get it, it does not disappoint. For the most part, Ron Howard has constructed a magnificent film, centered on a solid-cast and some standout Oscar worthy performances. The adaptation, however, does feel clumsy at time.
The decision to transfer the self-address monologues to the audience into documentary style interviews for the film feels awkward and out of place. We are never explained what this documentary is, when it takes place and more importantly why we should really care. In fact, it seems as though playwright and screenwriter Peter Morgan could not figure out how to adapt this problematic portion of his source material and thus settled on the most banal way of doing so.
Luckily these segments do not make up a significant portion of the film. Hopefully, your viewing experience will not consist of inappropriate laughter at serious and downright pivotal moments, particularly the last scene of the film. Despite the aforementioned flaws, Peter Morgan was faithful to his own source material and the result is a powerful, engrossing character study marvelously acted and superbly directed. Howard’s decisions regarding close-ups and hand held camera usage are deft and executed with expert precision. And let us not forget Kevin Bacon’s finely tuned performance as Nixon’s right hand man which is just as worthy of Oscar buzz as the two leads. Yes, Director and cast were in top form for this match-up and for the most part, delivered the goods.
Milk (Van Sant, 2008)
Written December 2008
Milk is a tour de force biopic directed by Gus Van Sant and featuring a knock-out, awe-inspiring performance by Sean Penn, who is by far the great actor of his generation. Penn becomes the gay political figure through and through, and although we all know what is going to happen we secretly wish that history would rewrite itself midway through the film. Harvey Milk was of course assassinated in 1978 by political rival Dan White, played brilliantly by Josh Brolin whom has had an amazing comeback both this year and last. The film traces Milk’s life beginning at age 40 until the fateful day. Upon moving to San Francisco with his lover (another wonderful performance by James Franco) Harvey discovers that perhaps he can make a difference and stand-up to the injustice that homosexuals were facing. He runs for City Supervisor and is aided by a group of friends who mostly just hung around the camera shop he owned.
Emile Hirsch plays a runaway turned intricate campaign aide and, as many have said already, he steals every scene he’s in. Hirsch is one of the most talented young actors working in Hollywood today and one can only hope he goes on to have a career as lucrative as Penn’s. Harvey Milk’s rise to the top against adversity is a story that’s resonant in ant day and age. Watching Milk battle Anita Bryant against Proposition 6 cannot help but conjure up a parallel to the Mormon Church and Proposition 8. The film could not have been released at a more relevant time, whether or not Proposition 8 had passed or failed.
Harvey Milk’s message of hope against all odds, dreaming your dreams and becoming who you want to be and being proud of who and what you are would be sound no matter what this past election had dealt. Harvey Milk was ahead of his time in what he was able to achieve. This flawless film leaves you with a sense of bittersweet hope. While Milk’s Proposition 6 passed, California’s Proposition 8 failed, but only barely. America isn’t yet caught up to Harvey, but we’re getting there. Overall, I think if he were still alive today, he’d be proud by the recent strides that have been made.
Frost/Nixon (2008, Howard)
Written December 2008
Frost/Nixon, based upon a stage play of the same name, and directed by Ron Howard is like a boxing match. Heavyweight Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) and Lightweight David Frost (Michael Sheen) spend the entire film circling one another in the ring, trading a few blows here and there, until finally, in the 11th hour a technical knockout is delivered. We, as the audience, are acutely aware of this. We are watching the build-up and waiting anxiously for the action. And when we get it, it does not disappoint. For the most part, Ron Howard has constructed a magnificent film, centered on a solid-cast and some standout Oscar worthy performances. The adaptation, however, does feel clumsy at time.
The decision to transfer the self-address monologues to the audience into documentary style interviews for the film feels awkward and out of place. We are never explained what this documentary is, when it takes place and more importantly why we should really care. In fact, it seems as though playwright and screenwriter Peter Morgan could not figure out how to adapt this problematic portion of his source material and thus settled on the most banal way of doing so.
Luckily these segments do not make up a significant portion of the film. Hopefully, your viewing experience will not consist of inappropriate laughter at serious and downright pivotal moments, particularly the last scene of the film. Despite the aforementioned flaws, Peter Morgan was faithful to his own source material and the result is a powerful, engrossing character study marvelously acted and superbly directed. Howard’s decisions regarding close-ups and hand held camera usage are deft and executed with expert precision. And let us not forget Kevin Bacon’s finely tuned performance as Nixon’s right hand man which is just as worthy of Oscar buzz as the two leads. Yes, Director and cast were in top form for this match-up and for the most part, delivered the goods.
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Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
When Mickey Rourke didn't win for The Wrestler, I was disappointed. I hadn't seen Milk at that stage, and although I love Penn, I wanted rourke to win the Oscar, because I thought he was amazing in The Wrestler.
However, later when I saw Milk, I realised Penn deserved the Oscar, even though there are several other performances of his that also deserve an Oscar (Dead Man Walking, The Falcon and the Snowman, The Assassination of Richard Nixon, Carlito's Way).
Milk is probably my second fave Gus Van Sant movie, after Drugstore Cowboy. I don't like everything he's done, he's very hit and miss for me.
Comment by Cinema is Truth
Have you seen Frost/Nixon?
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
What are your thoughts on Gerry? I haven't seen it, but my wife likes it, yet another friend said it was unbearably boring.
Comment by Cinema is Truth
Cinema is Truth
Cinema is Truth