10 Best Film Biopics About Politicians

3. Milk

Anthony Hopkins Nixon
Focus Features

Of all the politicians on this list, Harvey Milk reached the lowest form of office but his impact on his community is just as significant as anyone else mentioned here.

After a rather meandering youth, Harvey Milk moves to San Francisco at the age of 40 and becomes a gay activist in the city.

He turns his sights to politics and aims to become California's first openly gay elected official. Milk is an inspiring tale of a commendable man who brought a great deal of hope to a lot of people during his time there and shows how he fought for gay rights in a state that wasn't willing to listen at the time.

Sean Penn won his second Oscar for his take as the optimistic and driven icon and he is fantastic here. He has great chemistry in particular with Josh Brolin, who is also worthy of praise as Milk's political rival and moral opposite Dan White. Harvey Milk's identity clashes with White's worldview and their scenes are the most compelling, all the way up to their tragic conclusion.

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