Milk: Sean Penn stars as gay rights activist assassinated at San Francisco City Hall in 1978

Harvey Milk's life changed history, and his death changed lives. In 1977, the openly-gay politician, played by Sean Penn in this highly-anticipated film, was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. His victory was not just a victory for gay rights, but one for many across a wide spectrum. From senior citizens to union workers, Milk changed the nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights and became a hero for all Americans. Milk also stars James Franco, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna and Josh Brolin. Directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, My Own Private Idaho) from an original screenplay by Dustin Lance Black.

Penn has been nominated for a Golden Globe for best actor in a drama for his portrayal of Milk.

The two-hour movie follows Milk from New York to San Francisco, where he opened a camera shop on Castro Street and used his political savvy and a surging liberation ideology to win a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Less than a year after being elected, Milk was shot and killed in City Hall by the recently resigned supervisor Dan White, played by Josh Brolin in the film. White also assassinated Mayor George Moscone, who is played by Victor Garber, on that "Black Monday" in November 1978.

The film tells its story in somber, enhanced flashback, with Milk speaking into a tape recorder in eerie anticipation of his possible assassination. Van Sant sticks closely to Milk's political career, which included several unsuccessful runs for supervisor. The film also depicts Milk's love life and the burgeoning gay sensibility and rage ignited in San Francisco and beyond by this galvanic figure. A book by Randy Shilts, The Mayor of Castro Street: the Life and Times of Harvey Milk, was published in 1982, and an Oscar-winning documentary, The Times of Harvey Milk, was released in 1985.

Milk is now showing at the Main Art Theatre (118 N. Main St., Royal Oak).