This is an exceptionally insightful look at historical events. I absorbed more than anticipated and found myself appreciating it—though "enjoyed" feels inadequate given the tragic circumstances depicted; still, it’s ultimately a film about justice prevailing. I now have a better understanding of LGBT history, which feels timely ahead of LGBT History Month. The performances are strong and convincing, but I did struggle with seeing actors who aren't gay portraying gay men advocating for equal rights. It highlights an aspect of LGBT history that’s seldom shared beyond the community, so perhaps Penn succeeded in bringing this story to a wider audience. My perception of Sean Penn as an actor has shifted because of this film; he is often controversial due to his opinions on masculinity and gender, but here, the acting, direction, and research were superb—a surprise for me. It’s worthwhile viewing, though it left me wanting something closer to the "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and Academy Award-winning film that inspired it, “The Times of Harvey Milk.” 7/10

Source on TMDB