“Milk” – the new Gus Van Sant biopic about the first openlygay man to be elected to office – shines as brightly as the man it portrays,San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk.

The film follows the story of Milk, played by Sean Penn, from1972 to 1978, the year he was assassinated by former Supervisor Dan White (JoshBrolin).

The movie revolves around Milk’s personal life, politicalascendancy and ultimate legacy. Portrayed beautifully through an interweaving of archival footage,re-enactments and delicate scenes of a prophetic Milk sitting at a kitchentable recording his will.

The story begins in New York City, where Milk and Scott Smith(James Franco) meet and fall in love. The couple then moves to San Francisco and opens a camera store, CastroCamera.  The store becomes ahangout among residents and later, Milk’s campaign headquarters.

Milk meets Cleve Jones (Emile Hirsch), a young activist whopersuades him to run for public office. Milk’s political ambitions slightly take over his life and put a strainon his relationship with Smith. After three consecutive losses, Smith leaves him.  In 1978, Milk is elected to the boardof supervisors with the help of a new campaign manager, Anne Kronenberg (AlisonPill).

During this time, Milk takes on a doomed relationship withJack Lira (Diego Luna).  He alsobefriends White and Mayor George Moscone (Victor Garber).  Milk leads a powerful fight for gayrights and defeats Proposition 6, also known as the Briggs Initiative, whichbanned gays from working in California’s public schools.  It was sponsored by conservative statelegislator John Briggs and singer Anita Bryant.

White, fighting with his own demons and upset by Milk’sactions, resigns and is turned down when he tries to get re-appointed.  Feeling betrayed, he assassinates bothMoscone and Milk on November 26, 1978 at City Hall.

Brolin’s performance, which provides incredible insight tosuch a complex character, cannot be forgotten.  With almost childlike frustration, he reveals White’s inner torment.  And while White’s actions can never berationalized, Brolin gave him a desperateness that almost makes us feel bad forhim.

Franco made Smith a very admirable character.  He gives Smith a perfect combination ofquiet strength and shyness.  Franco’sfriendly face only increased Smith’s precedent likability.  Watching him on screen can only makeviewers smile.

A very shy and witty Hirsch has some unforgettable moments aswell. Whether he was rallying a crowd or waltzing with Pil, it was hard not to beenchanted by him.

Although all the actors aced their performances, “Milk”really belongs to Penn, whose inspiring and endearing portrayal of Milk wasincendiary.  He was so in tune withhis character, one doesn’t even see Pen the actor.  He is Harvey Milk. He is spot on, and undoubtedly has no trouble capturing many heartsduring his delivery of Milk’s “Hope Speech.”

Van Sant made the story of Harvey Milk unforgettable.  It is powerful, smart, funny,thought-provoking, heartbreaking, and tear-inducingly inspiring.  It could not have come at a bettertime.

It is one of the best films of the year.