Milk 2008

As the film unfolds, the opening credits are accompanied by old black and white newsreel clips from the 1950s and early 1960s, showcasing scenes of men being rounded up by police during raids on gay bars. Headlines proclaim the crackdown on homosexual establishments, with captions such as “Crackdown of Homosexual Bars” and “Men Charged in Taverns.” These well-dressed men, clearly humiliated, cover their faces with their hands while paddy wagons await to haul them away, displaying a chilling glimpse into a life tarnished by shame and aggression.

The narration is delivered by Harvey Milk, recorded in 1978, dictating a letter intended for release only in the event of his assassination. Through his words, we are transported back to significant moments in his life, including stirring speeches delivered to various crowds. In front of LGBTQ+ audiences, he opens with, > “My name is Harvey Milk and I want to recruit you,” while with straight union workers, he jokes, > “My name is Harvey Milk, and sorry I am not what you expected, but I left my high heels at home.”

Milk emphasizes the visibility that gay activists must endure as targets of violence. A startling clip features a young Diane Feinstein, who announces the tragic assassinations of Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone. As Milk narrates his heartfelt letter, he takes us chronologically through vital moments in his journey, starting in 1970 New York.

In the bustling city, Milk, impeccably dressed in a vintage gray suit, is instantly drawn to a younger man, Scott Smith, at a New York subway station. In a bold move, Milk introduces himself, initiating a conversation filled with charm and humor about his upcoming 40th birthday. Their flirtation culminates in an unexpected kiss, shortly after Scott expresses his hesitance towards dating older men—a charming complication as Milk playfully reveals, “Well, today’s my lucky day because I’m 39 until 12:01 tonight.”

Flash forwarding through their blossoming romance, Milk and Smith share a life filled with warm moments—from intimate conversations about the challenges of gay life in 1970s New York to the opening of their camera shop, “Castro Camera”, in the Castro neighborhood. Their shared happiness, however, is not without conflict. When a liquor store owner, displeased by their presence, warns them of police trouble, Milk assures him that opening a business is not illegal, signaling the slow rise of gay visibility and activism in the area.

With the “Castro Camera” serving as a haven, Milk realizes the power of uniting the LGBTQ+ community through support for local businesses. This turning point inspires him to create lists of gay-friendly establishments to advocate for economic solidarity. The camera shop becomes a hub for young activists like Danny Nicolletta, Jim Revaldo, and Cleve Jones, who all gravitate to Milk while he juggles both his personal and political life.

As tensions between the LGBTQ+ community and police escalate, Milk organizes a movement to challenge the mistreatment of gay citizens, standing firmly on a soapbox to declare, “I’m here, so I’m going to get attention.” He throws his hat into the political ring, campaigning to become the first openly gay man elected to office in the United States. Despite initial setbacks in his political pursuits, he learns valuable lessons and grows closer to accomplishing his vision with each campaign.

His activism reaches a boiling point with the rise of the Californian Assemblyman and the arrival of Proposition 6, aiming to ban gay teachers. In a series of confrontations and high-profile debates, Milk rallies the community to resist these discriminatory measures, shouting, “My name is Harvey Milk and I want to recruit you!”

As Milk’s influence grows, so do the challenges in his personal life. Jack, a new love interest, adds complexity to the narrative, introducing themes of loyalty and chaos. As his campaigns rise and fall, tragedy strikes when Jack succumbs to a serious mental illness. In poignant moments, Milk reflects on the men in his life, knowing Scott Smith was his true love.

Throughout it all, Dan White, Milk’s political peer, sits on the other side of apathy and tragedy, eventually culminating in a heartbreaking confrontation where Milk is taken from the world too soon. The film ends with a powerful memorial, illustrating how Milk’s legacy inspired a generation of activists, reminding us that his struggles for equality extend far beyond the LGBTQ+ community and touch upon universal hopes for justice.

In the flickering candlelight that rivaled the stars, Milk’s dream of solidarity emerges, urging people to unite against persecution and stand tall for their rights. His life and fight become a beacon of hope for countless “Us-es” around the world, driving home the message that hope and resilience are paramount in the face of adversity.