'Penn portrays Milk as a little shy, at first. As an openly gay politician, he is eager to please and to reassure. 'I left my high heels at home,' he tells a roomful of barrel-chested union men. Much of the time, Penn keeps his voice down, but the fervor and the humor are there in the most offhand moments.

Without ostentation, he creates a new body, a new temperament: he loosens up his neck and shoulders and swivels his head; his smile becomes enormous and all-embracing; he holds an elbow out and pumps a forearm up and down like a semaphore as Milk speaks in public. Habits of boldness come upon Milk gradually, and then, in a rush of joy, defiantly. 'My name is Harvey Milk, and I want to recruit you!' becomes his declamatory signature line.'

'Is there an actor in Hollywood braver than Sean Penn?'

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If there is, he must be pretty well hidden. Which is why Penn's Oscar chances are as high as can be.

Image: A scene from Milk

Also Read: Heath Ledger, we miss you

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