Movie: Milk (2008)
Status: In Theaters
As a country we are quite fickle. We expect our celebrities to conform to a golden set of standards. For what? So they can be role models? When the Dixie Chicks speak out against a popular war (at the time), we boycott their CD's and encourage radio stations to do the same. Let's quickly explore this a little deeper. People who previously enjoyed the Dixie Chicks CD's were seen burning the CD's in protest. Who loses in this situation? It's not the Dixie Chicks, whose album sales went up during the protests(some people even purchased CD's just to burn). Why can't we just enjoy an artists work, instead of worrying about where they stand on an issue?
Sean Penn is an actor, movie producer, and damn fine director. So why, like the Dixie Chicks, should his opinion matter in regards to anything outside the world of film? The short answer is, it shouldn't matter. But, oh...it does matter. When Sean Penn gives a speech in support of gay rights on Oscar night, conservatives across the nation get into an uproar over the appropriateness of said speech. Somehow, Sean Penn doesn't have a right to an opinion anymore. And folks, this is where our logic gets twisted. Sean Penn does have the right to an opinion, but as Americans we hold the right to not give a damn what his opinion is. Until Penn pulls a Reagan and runs for public office, I don't care what he thinks about gay rights, the Iraqi War, Hurricane Katrina, or any other political subject. All I care about is that when I shell over my $7, he puts on a good performance. In that aspect, he always meets my expectations. Last night, I left the theater in total awe over his portrayal of Harvey Milk. Some will dismiss this as Sean Penn playing a "fag", "queer", etc. Yea, Harvey Milk was gay, but this wasn't a performance about a gay man, it was about a fighter. Instead of Jack Twist (Brokeback Mountain) he should be compared to characters such as Maximus Decimus Meridius, William Wallace, or Walter Sobchak. Because, at the root of it, that is what this film is about. It's about a man who kept fighting, kept pushing, and wasn't afraid to lose if it helped the greater cause. All the while, Penn was quite funny, caring, and slightly egotistical. While a lot of people will stay away based on Penn's political views . I will openly laugh at those people, who will be missing one of the better performances of the year.
What's even better than this, is when we expect our celebrities to be something besides themselves. When Pacman Jones openly frequents strip clubs, we are aghast. Apparently 8 gold medals become irrelevant…when you get high. Foolishly, we expect this elite section of the population to act different than the norm. Here are two things, that most of their peer group has done, but yet when "celebrities" indulge, we are surprised? These aren't role models, they are young men with crazy amounts of money, who should act like normal guys in their 20's. What's the next shocker, professional wrestling is fake? Let's grow up as a country and get a little selfish. So what if Sean Penn has an opinion you don't like, don't deny yourself the enjoyment of seeing a brilliant performance. Don't miss out on watching arguably the greatest Olympian ever because he gets high in the off season. I'm not writing this for them...I could give a damn about them. Just remember when you go watch Milk, you aren't supporting Sean Penn the politician, you are supporting Sean Penn portraying Harvey Milk, as an actor.
Posts
