In lieu of trying Milk, Gus Van Sant’s drama now playing places other than Corvallis, I revisited this enthralling and moving documentary on the political rise and tragic assassination of the first openly gay person elected to major public office in the U.S. When I first happened upon The Times of Harvey Milk surfing Berkeley basic cable circa 1999, it consumed my attention and left me a puddle on my cheap futon. The times and the sofa have changed, but the movie and I have not. Yesterday, at the first sign of the November 27, 1978, candlelight march on San Francisco City Hall, I was weeping like a big baby.
The folks interviewed in the film seem an interesting mix of Milk’s close associates and less intimate political acquaintances, but all of them get choked up recalling his death. The one that stands out to me this round is Jim Elliot, the auto machinist union guy from Milk’s neighborhood, a reluctant ally of the gay community, won over by Milk’s charisma. He bears a striking resemblance to my paternal grandfather, who was unlikely a union guy and even less likely a gay ally. Same shape of noggin and eyeglasses and mouth, could’ve passed for Grandpa’s brother!
I need to be sure my kid sister sees this one, and all y’all too. A must-see for anyone remotely interested in the history of San Francisco, gay rights, humanity…Bring a hankie.
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Haven’t seen this. Forwarding to James & Andrew for their consideration. The boys are currently in gay bastion Key West with their Uncle David and his family. Thanks for the tip.
I’d heard of this really big movie called Milk and wondered what it was about, so I looked up the preview for it and would definitely like seeing it- now I’ll have to look up this one too. We’ve suspended Netflix for the time being though, since we just haven’t had the time to watch movies to make it worth it….wonder if the Brazil video rental place carries it…hmmmm.