The movie starts in New York with a 40-year-old Milk deciding to move with his lover Scott Smith to San Francisco. The two pool their savings and start a camera store, Castro Camera, which soon becomes a magnet for people with alternative lifestyles, principles and sexualities. There are those who oppose the crowd at Castro and all they stand for.

Milk soon takes the plunge into activism and after contesting elections and losing many times, in 1977 is elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Milk is now a canny political animal and bargains with another newly appointed supervisor, Dan White, for votes on various issues. Milk mobilises opinion against Proposition 6, which is a referendum to allow schools to fire gay teachers. In 1978, White assassinates Milk.

The film is fascinating for the authentic look and feel of San Francisco. Director Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting) has shot on location and used footage of the time to heighten the feeling of verisimilitude.

What makes Milk stand apart is the acting and the tricky take on White.

At one level, Milk works as a treatise on the relationship between the flamboyant Milk and the repressed White.

Van Sant seems to suggest that White was fighting his demons and trying to come to terms with his sexuality and in Milk saw a symbol of all he hated and loved and wanted to destroy and cherish.

Even if you are not tuned into American history and the gay rights movement, Milk is worth watching for the excellent performances and for a warm and wonderful celebration of the underdog.

MINI ANTHIKAD-CHHIBBER

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