Spring Break
Film's message coincides with political arena
MCT
Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: Features
"He just absolutely nails it," Jones said of Penn's performance. "[It] goes way beyond the superficial stuff--the mannerisms, the voice--he really inhabits that character, and it's astonishing to watch. I've seen a lot of interesting things in my life, but watching Sean Penn become Harvey Milk was just one of the most remarkable things I've ever seen."
For Jones, who is often tapped for reference on Milk-related projects, seeing a Milk biopic come to fruition was especially important.
"It's been a very long process for me," he said. "I first thought this would be a great film 30 years ago, after the assassinations."
Eighteen years ago, Jones had met director Gus Van Sant via a similar film proposal, and the two remained in touch, waiting for the right script.
"I've read maybe 40 or 50 scripts or outlines and various attempts to tell the story," Jones said, "and [writer Dustin] Lance [Black]'s first draft was head and shoulders above all of the others."
Black had initially contacted Jones while researching his script and, even in the preliminary stages, impressed Jones with his compassion for Milk.
"Lance not only knew [of] Harvey, but understood the political story at the time," Jones said. "He did incredible research. It was exhaustive. ... I was never worried about [the script] at all."
The script was finished in February 2007, passed to Van Sant that March and, 18 months later, the film was completed.
Jones acknowledges that holding out for the right production team was frustrating, but now that the film is done, he says it was worth the wait.
"I think this may be the perfect time [to release this film]--the completion of this 30-year circle," Jones said, "and I think Harvey would be really pleased with it."
For Jones, who is often tapped for reference on Milk-related projects, seeing a Milk biopic come to fruition was especially important.
"It's been a very long process for me," he said. "I first thought this would be a great film 30 years ago, after the assassinations."
Eighteen years ago, Jones had met director Gus Van Sant via a similar film proposal, and the two remained in touch, waiting for the right script.
"I've read maybe 40 or 50 scripts or outlines and various attempts to tell the story," Jones said, "and [writer Dustin] Lance [Black]'s first draft was head and shoulders above all of the others."
Black had initially contacted Jones while researching his script and, even in the preliminary stages, impressed Jones with his compassion for Milk.
"Lance not only knew [of] Harvey, but understood the political story at the time," Jones said. "He did incredible research. It was exhaustive. ... I was never worried about [the script] at all."
The script was finished in February 2007, passed to Van Sant that March and, 18 months later, the film was completed.
Jones acknowledges that holding out for the right production team was frustrating, but now that the film is done, he says it was worth the wait.
"I think this may be the perfect time [to release this film]--the completion of this 30-year circle," Jones said, "and I think Harvey would be really pleased with it."
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