GUS VAN SANT

One of the most inspired screenplays ever put to paper is brought to life competently by Gus Van Sant, acted beautifully by it's cast, and accompanied by a terrific soundtrack.

I won't tell you that Milk is one of the greatest films you'll ever see, but I will tell you emphatically it's the greatest kind of movie that you can see. The material is so important and the story so tremendous that it requires little else but to be placed in the capable hands of Gus Vant and the perfect cast he assembles in order to move you to tears. I think this film had small problems pacing the time spent on certain areas of Harvey Milk's life, and the lighting at times was obviously touched up in post-production, but I really couldn't hold anything like that against a movie like this. Sean Penn, one of the most talented actors to ever grace the screen, should certainly garner a number of well-deserved awards for the best performance of his career. The supporting cast too should all be commended for their impressive and very brave work. Milk is an examination of mankind at it's best and it's very worst, and I truly hope all you movie-goers out there will give it your time.

Admittedly a very well made film, Gerry's cinematography and score are a gentle pleasure for the eyes and ears, and Gus Van Sant does craft exactly the film he wants. The downside to this picture is its inconsideration of the audience watching. Van Sant makes no effort to engage us and effect us in any way, making a piece of artwork for himself, or just for the sake of making it, or some other obscure motivating factor. As Woody Allen would say, it's just mental masturbation, and I do not encourage it. But one must respect the mastery of craft found in this production.

Gus Van Sant's bold and brilliant decisions as a director are both this film's doing and undoing. While I think ultimately this film is a bit of a failure, the aim behind it is true. And it is unforgettable, and very influential on me as a filmmaker.

Gus Van Sant's bold directorial choices in this faux-biopic of Kurt Cobain are totally ineffective and useless at drawing in an audience or telling the story of this rock star. What the intended affect this film is supposed to have on an audience one can only imagine, but whatever was intended is either a waste of our time, or poorly executed.