Either I’m a sucker for good movies or I’m a sucker for adorable gay men. Probably both, because the combination in Milk really took it over the top. James Franco, Diego Luna, Emile Hirsch – hot damn! Too bad they’re super flamboyant and all hooking up with each other.

Milk is closer to non-fiction than gay porno, however. It’s the story of Harvey Milk, America’s first openly gay elected official. The movie details both his personal and public life, focusing on his relationships and his involvement in the gay rights movement.

The film starts in a New York subway on Harvey’s 40th birthday. He’s all alone, and who should walk by but a dashing young man named Scott (James Franco). The two get to talking, realize they each have nothing to lose, and decide to move to San Francisco together.

Shortly after arriving in San Francisco, Harvey opens up a shop called Castro Camera. The store becomes a safe haven for the gay men of the area. For the first time in his life, Harvey feels accepted for his sexuality. He and Scott make many friends and live the good life.

There’s a damper on the situation, however: homophobia. It’s the 1970s, and even in San Francisco it’s not socially acceptable to be gay. Nearby store owners, random by-passers, and even the police openly denounce Harvey, Scott, and their friends’ lifestyle.

The homophobia is getting to Harvey, so he decides to take action. Like a certain Barack Obama, he rallies hundreds of people around the idea that change is possible. After a few failed attempts, he succeeds in winning office.

Along with Harvey’s public life, Milk details Harvey’s relationships. That’s where the historical aspect becomes questionable, but for the sake of entertainment it’s excusable. Upon Harvey and Scott’s break-up, a smokin’ hot Diego Luna is brought into the picture.

Milk is truly heart-wrenching, due in part to the phenomenal acting. Have you seen Spider-man? Who would’ve thought that James Franco could make such a convincing gay guy! And Sean Penn! If he doesn’t win the Best Actor Oscar, the world has truly gone haywire.

The strong emotional response that Milk drew from both my mother (the crucial theatre companion, what with her willingness to pay) and me stemmed from more than just great acting. As one could imagine, it’s an incredibly moving film.

It’s tragic to see how deeply rooted some homophobia is, and I’m not giving anything away to say that Harvey is assassinated at the end. C’mon, guys, that’s just history! It’s highly possible that I shed a tear or two during the movie, but not only because of the sad ending. Throughout the whole film, it’s beautiful to see so many people standing up for what they believe is right.