Next week, the movie about the nation's first openly gay male elected official will open in 18 markets, including Denver. In addition to Penn and Brolin, "Milk" also showcases Diego Luna as boyfriend Jack Lira and Alison Pill as Anne Kronenberg, who managed Milk's winning campaign in 1977. Emile Hirsch plays Cleve Jones, Milk's friend and an early gay- rights activist.

"Milk" is being hailed as a masterpiece. It is. Awards prognosticators forecast Penn's performance will earn the actor another Oscar nod. It will.
