The film, which revolves around the life and political force that was Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician to ever be elected into public office, couldn't be hitting theaters at a better time. With the recent passing of Proposition 8 in California, gay-rights are at the top of most sophisticated discussions around the country. But it also makes you wonder if the movie had been released earlier, could it have changed the eventual fate of the Prop 8 outcome?

"It is possible," Franco says. "[The film deals with] equal rights and basic civil rights. It is an inspiring movie…so I hope it influences people."

Franco goes on to discuss how Milk, which is a low-budget indie picture, will be treated to a rolling release, and would have needed to be opened three or four months ago to have caught any momentum by November 4th.

That is not to say that the film will not have a growing affect on the general public. Franco does admit that he believed many of the issues of the film long before he got interested in the picture; however, he would be surprised if it didn't open the eyes to at least a few viewers who are still hesitant in the current fight for gay-rights.

"It inspired me to [inform] and to help fight for civil rights for whoever," Franco says. "I don't care who the group is, [taking someone's rights away] is wrong. The film shows that you have to fight for something like that."

Yet, in the film, it wasn't really Franco's Scott that was doing all the fighting, but rather the work of his on-screen boyfriend, Harvey Milk (played by Sean Penn). But as the film has begun to circulate, many who were close to the real Smith have called out noticeable differences between the on-screen and real-life personality. These small debates, through the eyes of Franco, are to be expected.

"I think that the issue is that the film is called Milk, not Smith," Franco says matter-of-factly. "There are only so many sides to the supporting characters that we can show, so I think that it is important to show Scott as the part of Harvey that he himself had to let go because his political life was starting to take over. We had to focus on Milk's story, so we couldn't put everything [about Scott] in there."

But Scott was in the film, and for good reason. Serving as the other half in Milk's longest relationship, Scott Smith was an influential character in Harvey's life, both inside and outside of politics. As a result of the romance, many kissing scenes were required between Franco and Penn; scenes that came and went with very little emphasis or discussion.

"It was a new thing for both of us," Franco laughs. "It was in the script, and there wasn't a ton of discussion about it, there usually isn't. When I have a kissing or love scene with a female actor, we don't really rehearse. So it came and we did it, and that was it. You just kind of do it and move on."

With that said, you cannot deny that the role of Scott Smith is one that you would have never expected a guy like James Franco to take; but he did. So, you have to wonder just how much pressure he feels with both the film and its place within the context of present day society.

"The role is different in that it has such an important message," Franco states. "The film is telling the life of a figure who meant so much to a lot of people. So, I felt a big responsibility to get it right."

Get it right he did. James Franco is receiving some heavy Oscar buzz for his turn as Scott Smith, and his performance is definitely worth checking out. Milk is currently rolling out into a theater near you.