Bait Spotlight #7 - Milk

Milk

Directed by Gus Van Sant
Screenplay by Dustin Lance Black
Starring: Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch and James Franco



Why It Will Win: It's a biopic with a great lead actor, Sean Penn. Penn's got great acting chops and will really be able to pull off Milk. "The Biographical Portrayal of the Year", like Capote or Ray. Yet this film will also have a very artistic element with Gus Van Sant at the helm. Van Sant hasn't had Oscar success since his Direction nod for Good Will Hunting. This is his first film in awhile that appears to have Oscar potential. BIOPIC. Also the rest of the cast looks great. Two '07 snubs, Hirsch and Brolin also star. It's got the cast, hopefully the director and the interesting subject matter to be a big player in '08. The Academy may also want to nominate a film with a gay protagonist, so they can showcase their open-mindedness and acceptance of all people. Remember Crash? Penn (as a director), Hirsch and Brolin were all royally snubbed (despite the fact that I wasn't an Into The Wild fan). Those snubs could push some nominations Milk's way.

Why It Will Not Win: It may be too static and artistic, being a film from Van Sant's arsenal. His films tend to have a very signature feel to them, and who knows how the Academy will respond. Also, his films have a divide of lovers and haters. This may be one of his more accessible films, yet Elephant, Last Days and some of his more recent flicks are a tad love-it-or-hate-it. Dustin Lance Black has also only written one feature film, The Journey of Jared Price (a film I've never heard of..). Will he be able to handle such subject capably? Hopefully.

Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Director
Best Original Screenplay
Best Lead Actor (Sean Penn)
Best Supporting Actor (Josh Brolin)

Bottom Line: This will be the Biopic representative for this year's Oscars. I think it has the tools to be a great film and I can't wait to see it. 5 nods.