On the tails of the recent upset over the passing of California’s Proposition 8 comes a film that not only chronicles Harvey Milk’s tireless pursuit for political justice, but also gives new meaning to his numerous accomplishments in demanding equal rights for the gay community. Director Gus Van Sant’s “Milk” stars Sean Penn as Harvey Milk — the nation’s first openly gay elected official. Beginning in the year 1978, the film opens with Milk recording his will and life’s legacy to be read in the event of his assassination. Milk narrates the last eight years of his life, culminating in the greatest victory of his political career and followed by his murder at the hands of a former fellow supervisor, Dan White (Josh Brolin).

On the eve of his 40th birthday, Milk employs his impeccable gaydar to pick up Scott Smith (James Franco) — a man about 20 years his junior — at a subway station and persuades Smith to join him for a private birthday celebration. As the clock strikes midnight, Milk laments, “Forty years old, and I haven’t done a thing that I’m proud of.” Deciding to remedy this fact, Milk leaves behind his dreary, closeted New York lifestyle and relocates to San Francisco, where he and Smith open a camera shop in the predominantly gay Castro district, only to discover that the local business association isn’t about to stop by for a visit on the welcome wagon.

Angered by this obvious discrimination, Milk vows to start his own business association, enlisting the aid of various gay-friendly localities to drive out the opposition. Emboldened by the success of turning the Castro district into a veritable haven for gay individuals, Milk decides to run for Supervisor to the city of San Francisco. Three elections, two campaign managers and one failed relationship later, Milk’s hard work pays off. Shortly after entering office, Milk’s greatest obstacle presents itself in the form of prominent anti-gay activist Anita Bryant (shown in various news clips) and her crusade to pass Proposition 6, a measure banning gays from working in California’s public schools.

Celebrating alongside Milk during his victory is his flamboyant team of young campaigners who believe in Milk’s ability to make a difference. To play some of Milk’s closest confidantes, Van Sant has assembled a superb supporting cast of talented young actors, ranging from Emile Hirsch as Milk’s large-spectacled right-hand man, Cleve Jones, to Alison Pill as Milk’s lesbian campaign manager (and the film’s sole relief from total testosterone domination), Anne Kronenberg. In his small role as Milk’s love interest, Franco is a joy to watch, lighting up the screen with every smile. After getting over the shock of seeing the man of my dreams kiss another man, I began to appreciate the sincerity of the relationship between Milk and Smith, which Franco and Penn effortlessly convey on-screen.

Aside from Penn, “Milk’s” best performance has to be Brolin’s Dan White. The antithesis of Harvey Milk, White is the quintessential All-American man: an ex-cop and ex-fireman with a wife and a newborn baby. He uses his good looks and strong family values to become Supervisor for the Irish-American community in which he resides, although his refusal to make nice with his fellow supervisors makes him something of a pariah at the office. Brolin is understated yet decidedly effective as Milk’s ally-turned-adversary (and possibly closeted homosexual).

White’s journey to self-destruction is eerily reminiscent of Van Sant’s “Elephant,” with the camera following behind him as he calmly walks through the corridors of City Hall before callously murdering both Mayor George Moscone (Victor Garber) and Milk. Although a news clip informs us early on of Milk’s murder, it still comes as a shock when the actual event occurs; I found myself partially covering my eyes, reluctant to watch Milk’s final moments but unable to look away.

Six years after Milk’s assassination came the documentary, “The Times of Harvey Milk,” in which his closest friends recounted his life, as well as the aftermath of his death; 25 years later, “Milk” documents the life of Harvey Milk for a new generation to see and gain inspiration from. It is impossible not to get caught up in the infectious enthusiasm of Harvey Milk, who truly believed in what he was fighting for. A clever script penned by Dustin Lance Black and retro-style cinematography by Harris Savides give the film an authentic feel, transporting viewers back to the ’70s to go along with Harvey Milk on his bittersweet journey to success.